We’re giddy: so many gifts from the emerging earth!  Our walk these days consists of heading across the street, and down the Queenstown Wharf road, to check out the river.  Every day, wider swathes of blue appear; water rushes fiercely under the remaining chunks of ice that still rub up against the shore, melting as we look down.

*

On the way back, the kids couldn’t resist the (pine? spruce? I still don’t know the names of things that matter here) tree, and Horus climbed a ways up, and then jumped down, scrounged a bit under its canopy, and then came running over with the treasures.  Horus is intense and wholehearted in everything he does, including the unexpected incidents of almost-unbearable sweetness and consideration.  “Here Mum!  I found these and *immediately* thought you had to have them!  I know how much you like to take pictures of things from the natural world.”

*

It’s very interesting, to be *seen* by one’s six-year old.  I don’t ever announce my photographic habits, in fact I try to be somewhat discrete about taking pictures.  Obviously, it isn’t a stretch to realize that indeed, I do like to snap shots of things from the natural world, but somehow having Horus announce his knowledge of me and the things I tend to do: wild, familiar.  A strange reflection of myself.

*

Horus and I had a chat the other day, and I felt compelled to tell him, in all seriousness, in earnest, how much I *like* him, and how much I love that we can really talk, and how much I love that he and I, towards each other, can be so very honest, and open.  Actually (you might have guessed) this particular conversation began as a disciplinary effort—by which I mean, Horus had acted out in one way or another, and I was attempting (virtuously, this time) to connect with him, and to inspire him to follow my compassionate (this time) example.

*

I adore the concept of discipline.  In my interpretation (and according to the etymology of the word) discipline involves the calling-forth of a person’s intrinsic desire to follow another’s motivating lead.  As always, parenting “works”, when I can drop my ego, and my expectations, and connect lovingly with my child while keeping in mind that they behave the way they do because they need to.  (The constant parenting detective-work:  What is the underlying reason for why this kid must behave this way, at this time?  How can I address or rectify what is missing for them now?)

*

The discussion as to whether or not parents are *supposed* to be friends with their kids is quite fascinating to me, although in the end, I don’t think that parental authority and friendship with one’s kids must be mutually exclusive.  “Friend” is not my primary role, but I am, and want to be, a friend, also, to my children.  In fact, I can’t imagine a higher calling in life, than friendship.  What matters more than being a good friend? To ourselvess, our spouses, our kids, the world.