M y   S e c r e t   P l a c e

Hidden deep in every child's mind is a place where they like to go when they daydream or play imaginatively. These places are not just limited to children. Adults also have their favorite escapes. In many cases these places are only mental extenuations of our childhood hide-a-ways. Inspiration for writing or painting often comes when these mental get-a-ways spring to life at some of our more creative moments. Telling stories to children often takes the form of recalling our past experiences as children and the mysteries of life we discovered and explored.

Growing up in Florida provided me with an abundance of mysterious surroundings and hide-a-ways and most were not far from the house since we always lived near the woods. A very large magnolia tree not far off the creek trail was a favorite secret place for me when I was 11 years old. A huge tree that stood out among the cypress and oaks. The base of the trunk was hollowed out and provided a space large enough for me to crawl into and turn around. From this concealed vantage point I was privileged to observe wildlife 'doing their thing'. Deer, coon, squirrel, skunks, and birds of all sorts carried out their every day lives and I was watching and learning. This trail from my house through the woods led down to Black Creek, just a small riverlet that ran through this forest of lush green.

The 'wild ones' were never far away as I walked along the creek bank. The gators and otters were always fun to watch. Turtles and snakes often sunning lazily together on a moss covered log. Birds fussed at me for being there, thinking I posed a threat to them. If only they knew I was there to learn of them. I discovered that Indians had walked the same way as I because I had found some of their arrowheads along this very path. Of course this added to my sense of adventure. I was lost in my own mysterious world and only a few hundred feet from my house.

Sunlight streamed down in misty beams through the branches of tall trees reminding me of a heavenly light guarding my childish footsteps on this venture into the unknown. Musty smelling mushrooms of many colors and sizes grew at the bases of many trees pushing up the leaves into little mounds. Bright yellow and black winged butterflies danced just out of reach down the trail and disappeared into the thicket. This could have been the Garden of Eden. As far as I was concerned it was, had it not been the call to lunch. There the fun ended and off I went to eat and join the world of doing the dishes and hanging out the fresh washed clothes on the line, but always looking forward to tomorrow for another excursion into nature to make more memories. As I look back to that time, I know that my God was there and his angels were watching my footsteps and leading me safely. I knew because my mother told me so. And she read the Bible verses that assured me that Jesus loved little children and one day I would lay down with a lion and play with lambs with no fear. Where is your secret place?

Burney Tompkins

    - Uncle Burney