When you’re less than two years old, life is a constant flood of new experiences. Almost every day, you get to do something for the first time.
Like sit on the kitchen counter eating goldfish with a spoon from a snack cup. I’m pretty sure August has never done this particular thing before, and yet yesterday morning as I was making breakfast, he climbed up and started to experiment.
First it was a matter of investigating the contents of the cup (the unfinished remains from Alden’s lunch the day before).
Then it was a the mechanical challenge of operating the rather large spoon that just happened to be sitting on the counter. Note that when August is eating sanctioned meals, he is provided with age-appropriate utensils. Using this monster spoon required two hands, but somehow he managed the lift and delivery.
And when it all came together, the counter, the spoon, the goldfish in his mouth, the pleasure was palpable. I could see those tiny neurons firing, saying to themselves, “Isn’t this world a good and remarkable place? Thank goodness for countertops and spoons and delicious orange snacks. I am grateful for this bounty. I am glad to be alive.”
I try to learn from his joy of discovery. The things that make him happy are so simple and so easy to come by. I wonder if he can teach me how to live this way.