As part of my commitment to be as device-free as possible while my 5th graders do their 21-day digital detox challenge, I am charging my phone outside of the bedroom, trying one phone-free weekend day, and aiming to take daily walks with just my keys and Phoebe.
I find myself much more aware of my surroundings and relaxed on these phone-free walks — I can feel the breeze of the perfect Miami spring weather as it lifts the peach fuzz on my arms; I can hear the faint music from a boat out on the water; I smile more at the people who I pass. Sometimes I see dolphins in the water, like we did on Sunday as we walked around Brickell Key. With no phone, I can’t take a photo or a video, so I am forced to just absorb it, be with it, in the moment. And I love being this present.
Today, though, there were oh so many things I wished I could text you on my walk. You wouldn’t have responded; you are teaching a private soccer lesson until 6. But if I’d had my phone today, this is more or less what your WhatsApp notifications would have looked like:
4:57pm: Omg you would not believe it. I got into the elevator with Phoebe and there was a couple in there, and she, of course, started getting all the cuddles from the guy. But then — HE PICKED HER UP. Like, just grabbed her up off the ground and nuzzled her! WTF?! Who does that??
5:01pm: Omg Phoebe just sprinted across the grass after this golden retriever, acting like she wanted to play, but then the dog’s owner let go of the leash and he was chasing her, and she was squealing and running SO far! And when she finally came back, and I went to grab her harness, she squealed at ME! 😭😩😩
5:05pm: Okay now she has fake-squatted for a poop twice. 🙄 Leaving this grass and continuing on my walk.
5:07pm: Fake-squat #3! This dope!!!!
5:10pm: And just when you thought she couldn’t fake you out anymore, she does it AGAIN. This time, she peed.
5:14pm: Literally this dog is so crazy. She just squatted for a 5th time!!!
5:16pm: Okay, guess 6th time’s the charm! 💩 success! 💪💪
5:19pm: Some guys are sharing a joint and one of them is literally using his parked, open convertible as a speaker for their music. Miami is weird.
5:28pm: Just picked up a cool historical fiction book at the little free library! 🤓
But I didn’t have my phone, so I couldn’t text you all of that. Instead, I just laughed to myself each time Phoebe fake-squatted, let my mind wander, and drafted this slice in my head.
Writing With Abandon 
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