third grade. i remember spending—or wanting to spend—every recess talking. standing on the edge of the playground, while the other kids played on the playground, i was looking for conversation. for connection.

replaying the scene in my mind, i see her turn, eyes on her friends chasing one another on the playground. i see now that she just wanted to play. which is what she told me, eventually.

it took me a long time to realize i was longing most for connection. it always was about connection.

Read More on belonging, identity, and language: an interrogation