a federal attorney I no longer required my top secret clearance, but I did need something to do. My first morning in retirement I was checking "Volunteers Wanted" ads when the sidewalk before my house erupted with kids. It was 9 a.m. and they were going to the school across the street. I had always been at work when it opened, but I was seeing them now and was amazed at how joyous and free they were. On impulse I asked the principal if she could use a volunteer, and she appointed me assistant kindergarten teacher.

The kids loved me and I loved them. Observing small children brought back memories of my own childhood, resulting in the first of these essays. That began with my life as a toddler, but a lot had happened since then and I decided to keep writing.