COMPANIONS ON THE ROAD

‘Companions on the Road’ is an ongoing column created to help us ‘adults’ remember we are children, too, and want to play.

In the Desert Children’s Project is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation organized for educational purposes. It accepts monetary contributions, as well as gifts of charitable gift annuities, real estate, stocks, bonds and other tangible assets.

Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowable under the U.S. tax code. Send gifts to In the Desert Children’s Project 425 10^th St. Moline, IL 61265

I took a road trip this summer with a couple of friends. They shared their music by playing songs they had downloaded to their listening devices. One of my friends asked, “Is this song ‘to the unihipili or from the unihipili’?” (unihipili is your inner child.)

We had fun singing and sharing music with each other. At the same time each one of us was taking time to be with our inner child.

I realized I had experienced a deepening in my relationship with my inner child through the music and this time together with my friends.

This activity was suggested:

Sharing Music

1. Hi Unihipili, would it be ok if I ask you a question?

2. Would you be able to play a game with me?

3. When a song plays let’s see if it is one I gave you or one you gave me.

I’ve enjoyed singing and sharing music. I was inspired to write:

Singing Songs

1. Address the question to your inner child. “Would you like to play a game singing songs?

2. Gather up words to songs you may have or know of.

3. Sit quietly. Be sure to ask if this is a good time to play the game or if it’s something for later.

4. Sing. Change some of the words to make it more personal.

5. Thank your child for playing the game.

6. Notice music as you hear it throughout the day. Is this from you, Unihipili?

Autumn feels like a wonderful time to me to be outside. I can just dash outside and forget to check what the child in me would like to wear when I venture out. This activity helps me get ready for the time outdoors.

1. Have you wanted to take a walk but felt resistance because of rain or snow?
2. Check to see if you have the right clothing.
3. For Rain:
Rain pants, a raincoat, boots and an umbrella.
4. For Snow:
A warm jacket, snow pants, gloves, a hat and scarf.
5. Check to see what you would like to wear to venture out.
6. Enjoy the weather!

Sometimes the child wishes for me to tread lightly when we go for a walk. I can talk to my child and let the child set the pace….as I slow down…..I notice the beauty that surrounds me.

Tread softly
1. Find a beautiful place to walk.
2. Tread gently and softly on the ground.
3. Notice what you hear and see.
4. See yourself as part of this beautiful place.

From a Reader

Mahalo Naniloa & Mary for sharing.

The Sunshine Strawberry Jam recipe looks onolicious. Have you tried dehydrating the jam a bit more in the sun & make roll-ups? That's what I "see" in my mind.

Malama pono. I love you. Peace of I

Jarnie

Thank you Jarnie. The recipe we listed might be perfect for the roll ups. We did observe that we had used water in making our jam but inadvertently left it out of the recipe for the newsletter. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused anyone. Below are the ingredients we used:

2 cups of strawberries
1- 2 cups of sugar

1 -2 cups of Blue Solar Water

A squeeze of lemon juice (optional)
1 small apple or 2 small crab apples

Naniloa Smith has a MS in education. She is President and Founder of In the Desert Children’s Project. She has spent over 30 years in the classroom. She believes that 'we're all children' and want to play. Naniloa lives in Moline, Illinois.

Mary Koehler has a BS in education. She has raised 7 children with her husband Kurt. She loves doing art projects and exploring new activities. Mary resides in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Thank You

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