The Duplo connection
We built adult-high towers, arches that children could march through, space stations, zoos, alien creatures. Red and green blocks became food for carnivores and herbivores; base plates were ramps for monster trucks. A 35-year accumulation of Duplo which built its way into all our play. And so, when we asked our boys if we could give our Duplo collection to their 2-year-old cousin, I was shocked when they said yes. Yes, to giving away those blocks, figures, and vehicles; yes, to giving away the toy that had seen me through so many long mornings when one or other of them would wake at 5am. The empty darkness had seemed so full of possibilities when we could transport ourselves anywhere by just attaching a few blocks together. I rarely felt closer to my boys than when playing with those coloured blocks. Handing over five bulging, rattling black bin bags last Christmas I almost cried. Now, I have to search for new ways of connection.