O taste & see

By Robin R.

Now that I am a parent, I find myself in a brave new world. I get lost sometimes and then I find my way.

Last week I read an article on parenting, and one image really stayed with me. A toddler moves around a room, hovering near the windows, and gently making circles in the air with her hands. The child tiptoes with arms outstretched, attempting to wrap up something invisible.

After watching quietly for a while, an observer realizes that the child is trying to capture a ray of sunlight. For me, the beauty of this image is all consuming. It represents what I love about being a mom.

Like that toddler, my daughter Pearl is discovering the wonders of the world from floor to ceiling, from crib to kitchen, from A to Z. Although the wonders may seem hum-drum by "adult standards," she is enthralled.

First, she tries to eat the object in question. If that doesn't work, she shakes it. If it makes a sound that she enjoys, she squeals. Next, she feels the texture with her hands, and sometimes with her feet as well. Then she drops it on the floor to see what effect that has. I tend to be an analytical person, and so I find her experiential approach very moving.

Last week, I took her for a walk in our neighborhood, just as I have done nearly every evening since she was born. As I tilted the nose of the stroller up in order to negotiate a curb, she realized for the first time that she could make eye contact with me for a moment. She was delighted. I must admit, I was delighted in return.

Denise Levertov writes in one of her poems:

The world is

not with us enough...

O taste and see!

My daughter is reminding me every day to notice all the wonders. Whether it's the smell of cinnamon, the rough shell of the coconut, or the sound of dry leaves in the breeze, this child is teaching me: we begin with our bodies.

Comments

[arwen]

Do you know where you saw the article? I am really interested because I had the same experience with my son a few years back & wrote a little piece about it; it was a huge moment for me, and I find it really wonderful that someone else shared a similar moment.

[shannon leonard]

Children are especially inspirational -- helping us to see the world anew every day. Pearl, pardon the faux-pun, is a jewel.

[amy]

Beautiful. I could picture your descriptions and remember when Isabelle was there. Even though Ibelle is definitely not out of the baby stage...I miss the innocence to discovery that was so intense at the young young baby age.