Actually an Artist

Writing prompt: Describe a family member

She half wakes from a stupor, her mouth dribbling out some of the contents of her beverage of choice. Lifting her head, she lazily looks around before meeting my eyes. With a half drunk smile at me, she slides down and stumbles out the door and down the hallway. A few moments later I put away my phone which I’d been whiling away the time on and get up to follow her.

She’s in the bathroom, preparing to take a bath, despite still being fully clothed and not having started the water. I sit down to relieve myself after the long vigil and try to explain to her the issues I’ve noticed with her attempted bath. But she doesn’t care, she’s already gone.

A bit later I suggest it’s time for some solids in that belly, but she’s unconvinced. Belligerent until I serve her up more. It’s not my place to judge or press, so I acquiesce. She’s mollified and we share some scrambled eggs. Later, bread, cheese, and water. A brief communion before getting back to the important work for the day.

Tapping, dancing, experimenting, her day is full just the two of us but we’re not alone for long. Eventually, dada comes home and big brother too. Then the fun begins because it’s hard work being a baby. She’s got nursing to do, materials to explore, and food to throw. Teeth upon teeth to cut, it seems.

She’s a harsh task master, giving me little respite even in the middle of the night. But it’s all a wonder, and seeing her soak up the newness of the world reminds me to stop and savor as well. A lot of my contemplative practice is simply following my daughter around in her day-to-day, trying to learn from what she learns from, see things with the ‘beginner’s mind’ as Buddhism teaches. Having a young child master is perhaps the best way to explore this aspect of contemplation.

Plus it’s pretty fun a lot of the time.