Hopscotch.

I saw an old man at the store he was walking without a cane or any help. Then I noticed every third step he took he would skip and land on both feet. He did this twice. I walked over to him and asked if he was, okay? He said, yes, he was just trying to remember how to play hopscotch. I went over the rules with him, he said he understood. I watched him toss a penny flat on to square number 3 he hopped on one foot 1 and 2 square then he hopped over 3 landing on 4 and 5 with one foot in each square. He turned and said, see it's easy once you remember. Then 6 on one foot then landing on 7 and 8 a foot in each square. Then 9 on one foot and 10 landing with both feet. He turned and said, now you try. And there before me stood my Granddaughter, smiling and saying all you needed was a reminder of the rules. She followed the same pattern. One foot hop 1 and 2 square over square 3 landing on 4 and 5 one foot in each square. Reaching back and swiping up the penny, then on to 6 one foot, 7 and 8 one in each square. 9 one foot then 10 landing both feet beside of mine. 

  

I took her hand in mine, and we walked on farther into the store looking for whatever it was we came for. Now if I could just remember what it was. Sure, glad I brought her with me.    

D. Randall Dollaway

12 December2025