My Runtyun and I live in a physically sheltered area. Our current domicile is a little remote and there are no kids close to us. So, I go off to work and she stays at home and does stuff there until I return. She reads and plays video games. When it rains she goes outside and dances.
As a consequence when I get home, she is ready for some company, I am not much for talking. I have learned to drag a few words out and actually converse a little. My kid is pretty perceptive and understands me. On occasion, and I want to build the habit more, we cook supper together. Actually, she found a recipe for vegitarian lasagne with artichoke hearts and spinach which we did together.
The time we spent doing the recipe was time I will not soon forget. As most who know me, you know I was a cook for a long time. Most guys who do what I did are part timers who are trying to work their way through school. I thought it would be a career. As a consequence I learned how to look at a recipe and make it better. However, during this time with the Runtyun I wanted to teach her how to do the procedure the way it was written. Following a recipe is harder than one may think!
She cooked the lasagne well and we had dinner and lunch for a couple of days. While I had a kid who was glowing with the feeling of success.
The other day, or night actually, I was getting ready for bed, but fate had another plan for the Runtyun and me. The truth is I have been feeling the need to have some kind of talk with her. I am a little distant and find it difficult to have a prolonged conversation with any one. Yet, this time was as close to a perfect moment as one could ever ask for.
We talked about many things. Actually, I made the conscience decision to let her have the reins and see where the conversation went. I further decided to ignore my fatigue and give her all of my attention. For over an hour we went back and forth, just plain talking. Neither one of us looked at or played with any of our electronic mind numbers. At one point though, the computer let us know it was 11:00 and my kid said that her tired old Dad needed to get some rest. We talked for another 20 or so minutes.
Who needs rest in the middle of a perfect moment?
I finally went to sleep and had one of the most restful sleeps in ages.
I wish I had something profound to take away from these two occasions, but I don't. I merely relearned that my Runtyun is a person and needs to be treated like one. Perhaps the most satisfying thing I heard my Runtyun say goes something like this, "You know Daddy, we think a lot alike." Aside from the automatic sarcastic quips one can come up with, what she said validated most of what the ordeals of parenthood and some of the better, and more difficult decisions I have made as a parent and a man.
I just hope that some of the wisdom I impart to her will help her be a better person than her father ever could imagine himself to be.
olc
