While not concentrating on HSing today, I learned something pretty cool about the younger minions. They think really really well.
A bit of background here. Weather is cooling down and the inside Pyrs like to catch frogs in the "upper pond of death"Â while I collect various nuts before the goats try to scarf them down. Basically I crawl up/down the ravine areas collecting nuts, discarding those which the worms discovered before I did, and periodically being investigated by a calf in which "hope springs eternal" that I might just have a bottle hidden somewhere on my person. Sometimes minions help, sometimes they just sit to think and other times they roam the "wilds" doing things that might or might not meet with parental approval.
But back to the "upper pond of death" (which according to the furtile imagination of a 7 and 10 year old must contain at least pirahnas if not some deadly virus which will eat off their toes). Last year we had two trees fall, one a cedar about 30 feet long and the other an old oak that pulled up an impressive root ball about 6 feet tall. Minions have scampered along the cedar - slipping, but not quite sliding, down its 20 foot length. They have really been eyeing the oak - a prohibitive 5 feet out through the sludge/water - they have avoided contact with the enemy. Today was the of what I would later come to find out was called "The Mission".
My attention was first drawn by the steady Thwack, Thwack, Thwack that can only be produced by wood on wood wielded by a 7 year old. How can they find such limitless energy is a source of wonder to me. So I settled in to watch the show while hidden 50' away behind the wild basil. Directed by the elder leader, the younger minion was sent on scouting missions to locate solid wood from 3' - 5' long. He was cautioned however that he must only bring back structurally sound wood. So - off he roams to locate a likely construction material. Thwack, thwack - three hits with no splintering indicated a useful material which was then drug back to the awaiting bridge that was taking form. Ten minutes, a half hour and hour later - somehow I became captivated by the intensity in which they worked. A word here, a nod there, but commentary was kept to a minimum while they formed a bridge about 8 feet long and 3 feet wide.
I held my breath as they teetered across the structure to the oak, but I should never have doubted the ingenuitiy and persistence they were showing. They jumped with joy and clambered up on the oak which waited for them. They walked out - scanning the depths for denizens of the deep (I know at most two feet along that oak). I waited for them to call to tell me about their adventure, but they stretched out on their backs with outstretched arms like turtles warming in the sun and savoured their accomplishment before doing the "mommy ping".
While I am amazed at their efforts I am more astonished they: chose an objective, finished it and that was reward enough for them. As they ran off to do something else, I looked around. Then I crossed their bridge, crawled up on the oak and laid back with my face tilted to the sun. I felt more hope for the future knowing that somewhere out there are a multitude of minions moving forward. Numerically we cannot be the only parents that encourage "living life fully" to the next generation.
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Topic: What I learned today about HS'ing (Read 81167 times)