In June 2026 our theme on 'lost and found' produced different types of writing.

Lost and Found (thoughts of a two year old) by Halinka Rajchel

TRUE EVENTS FROM THE EARLY 1980s IN GUISBOROUGH, NORTH YORKSHIRE

I’m a little big boy but I love my dummy

I live at home with big sister, dad and mummy

Last year big sister got lost in Saltburn

This year history is repeated because it’s my turn

One day we all went into our exciting little town

I’m dressed in a spacesuit, big sister wearing brown

 Daddy with sister, I follow mummy with my little legs

 Daddy will buy fruit pies, mummy wants to buy eggs

Eggs! I know exactly where mummy will go

Lots of people rushing in and out of shops, oh no!

Mummy is not with me, I’m on my own

But I don’t cry or scream or shout or moan

I know exactly where mummy is, I know the stall

My little legs will take me, I’m careful, I won’t fall

Oh no, mummy is not there, but I’m a brave little boy

My favourite shop is there and so is my favourite toy

I go inside, it’s such a big shop, big people, a big door

I look around me, I look at the ceiling, I stare at the floor

No mummy here, just lots of kind ladies pointing at me

I hear one say ‘he’s very little, maybe two or three’

They make a ring around me, they smile and talk

Another lady says ‘I wonder, how far did he walk?’

She asks me, ‘Where do you live? Do you know where?’

What an easy question to answer, as I say, pointing, ‘over there’.

‘Don’t worry little boy, your mummy we will soon find,

You are safe with us looking after you, we ladies are very kind’.

I feel so important, they are making such a fuss

It’s much better in here, than in a crowded bus.

I’m the centre of attention, but now I hear a familiar voice

It’s my mummy, she’s found me, among the ladies and toys.

My adventure is over, mummy is happy as she says, ‘thank you!’

We leave the shop together, now I have mummy, I’m happy too.

The View to Pull Me Through

THE VIEW TO PULL ME THROUGH

I woke up this morning not wanting to move. I looked across at my favourite photo.

A view at dawn from my lost family home, at the heights in Blidworth.

A lovely view of the sun rising, the mist enhancing the moment.

Within this misty view, the happy memories come flooding through. 

What I had; the things now changed and what was lost.

So many feelings kept underground, just a sense of smell and sound.

Often the smile hides the feeling boiling underground.

Some days alone I can’t see or feel the dark becoming light, and moving on.

On these days, I look for a sign to pull me back.

Into making new memories – of fun and chat.

How, do I make this happen?

This comes from being part of the U3a.

It is possible to ring someone and have a chat.

Or get ready to go to an event.

It focuses me to look forward to making new friends and memories.

It is a spark I need to pull me through, this time in my life.