Pigpen

Her mom always called her “Pigpen,” as in the messy, scattered character from the cartoon, Peanuts. The mother said her young daughter operated with a clutter around her at any opportunity that presented itself.

With toys, the young girl would be interested in Legos, so she would dump the whole Legos box out on the floor. She would build something and then get bored with it, so she would take out the troll dolls and spread them all out around where she was sitting. Then, when bored with both, she would get out her Cabbage Patch Kids.

After exhausting the final activity or toy, the young girl would exit the room to go explore another. Room by room, she played. Carefree.

In her adult life, the only things that have changed are the toys. Instead of Legos, she has notecards and Sharpies. Instead of troll dolls, she has a Starbucks Gold Card. And instead of Cabbage Patch Kids, she has an iPhone and a MacBook (+ external hard drive.)

I made the connection when I was working with a client. Casually, we were at her house brainstorming and strategizing. When I needed to find something we’d discussed and I had written down earlier in the night, I realized that I had a semi-circle of grown-up toys surrounding me.

I get it now, Mom.

I guess in many ways, we are who we are.