Use “near/far.” Use “near,” use “far,” use them both if you’d like. In fact, if you start your post with one and end with the other, you get bonus points!
In this picture I see a relaxed mother holding her new baby. Dad is sitting a short distance away. Maybe he’s a little nervous; a new baby is a huge responsibility!
I have a recipe for the new parents. I’ve used this basic recipe a few times down through the years, but tailored it to suit different needs and personalities. Oh…mistakes were made when often I used too much of one thing, or not enough of another.
I’d be interested to know how you would tailor this recipe to suit your own family’s needs.
Ingredients:
For the base you will need:
500g of child-raising flowers
One hive of honey
Equal parts of long-life blood, sweat and tears
Warm arms
Adoring eyes
Soft voices
Two big hearts
For the filling you will need:
One bucketload of empathy
Ten bucketloads of encouragement
Ten gallons of positivity
A gazillion gallons of affection
Endless supply of patience
For the topping you will need:
Four good ears
Two pairs of watchful eyes
Stern voices
Big cuddles
On the side: to be used sparingly
Worry
Annoyance
Irritation
Frustration
Method:
Mix together the child-raising flowers, hive of honey, long-life blood, sweat & tears, warm arms, soft voices, and the big hearts.
Keep very warm and raise for 4 to 5 years. Reduce temperature slightly and then fill with empathy, encouragement, positivity, affection, and some patience.
Raise for several more years. When pie begins to sprout hormones (Oh…you will notice), keep cool and spread with a thick layer of topping; good ears, watchful eyes, stern voices and big cuddles. Add lots more patience.
You will need to dip into your side dish from time to time—worry, annoyance, frustration, irritation—but use sparingly because it has to last for a loooooong time.
Continue raising and when you feel your work is done, place a huge blob of pride on top, then sit back and enjoy. Or…begin again!
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