Just last weekend I took my nephew to my boyfriend's parent's house. They have, in their backyard, goats, chickens and geese.  He didn't want to leave. He was most intrigued by the General, or the rooster.   He wanted to chase it down to get an up close look but General would not allow that.  My nephew soon gave up and began his second scheme which was to hold a little gosling.  The mother would not allow that. Like human parents goose mothers are very protective of their young and will not allow strangers in their gosling's play area.  When I saw the mother goose coming up fast behind my nephew it was time for me to intercept the meeting of her beak to his back with a swift pick up.  That day was full of firsts.  My boyfriend's mother had introduced Ramiro to the fish inside the house which by the end of our stay had been fed three times.  Ramiro asked over and over to feed the fish and like myself my boyfriend's mother was taken over by his sweet angelic voice.  It was quite a day for both of us.  Each day and night spent with my nephew are full of adventure.  Everything is new and all experiences are fresh and fun.  The best times together for us are spent outside.  His days are spent enjoying life.  By the most influential and powerful forces of nature I have been able to enjoy my days with him interacting with the natural world.  I always think about him when my day seems to be starting off on the wrong foot and try to mimic his mentality while looking at the world.  He is seeing and learning things for the first time which allows him a whole lot of happiness in life.  I wish I could have those days again: worry free days, days with no artificial time, days full of learning and excitement.  It's a shame that Ramiro can not understand right now that his wondering mind is my source and essence of the childhood that I lost. He will learn of this story one day though. I want the same reaction from Ramiro as did Isamu Taniguchi had with his Mother Tree.  "?to depend on her for companionship and encouragement" (p.194, Bauld) it feels great to play this role for a toddler. I am very thankful that I have been able to encourage him to learn the lessons that I have just recently learned after our many excursions during this class.  To respect nature and be thankful for it's beauty because without it life would be nothing else but structure, rules and concrete facts.
		This picture depicts the great fun he and I have outside in the backyard.
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