Penelopie The Penguin To The Rescue

That moment, when the world stops turning, and you find yourself in awe.

A few days ago, I was showing my four-year-old mischief-maker, Zoe, an opening trick that leads to a checkmate.

“I’ve learned enough for today, mommy,” she responded, leaving the table to play with her dolls.

“Alright, I will show this “magic” checkmate to Penelopie the Penguin over here then.” I proceeded talking to a plush penguin. A spark of curiosity lit up in Zoe’s eyes, although she continued to play with her dolls. Occasionally, her eyes shot a quick glance at the chessboard. And other times, she sat still, contemplating something.

Later that evening, I was doing dishes, when Zoe disappeared upstairs. When I was done, I called: “Zoe, it’s bed time! Where are you?” ... No answer.

Zoe has taken up playing hide-and-seek at the most inconvenient times, lately.  I had to check every single room, washroom and closet (and underneath every couch and bed!) before I entered my bedroom, 15 minutes later, puffing and exhausted. “Are you in here Zoe?”

Rustling and bustling noises were coming out from my (walk-in) closet. “I was just playing with my dollies …” she said casually, as if the last 15 minutes did not happen. We proceeded into our final struggle of the day - the bedtime! What “dollies” she’s been playing with I did not bother to ask. #ExhaustedMom

The night fell at last and the house regained its temporary stillness. Wearily, I walked into my dimly-lit closet and stepped on a small object. Ouch! I looked at my foot. A tiny bishop was stuck to my bare sole.

On the floor, Penelopie the Penguin sat next to the miniature chessboard.

“Ah, another chess set I haven’t seen in a long time!” I thought. (People used to give me chess sets for my birthdays all the time, as if I wasn’t drowning in them already.) On the board, there was a position … resembling very closely to the "magic" checkmate I was desperately trying to show Zoe earlier that day.

I smiled. “Well done, Penelopie the Penguin.”  And a warm, cozy feeling erased all the parenting struggles and doubts of the day.