Here we are again, I wish to fold some laundry pilling up in the dressing room and Opal, our 5-month-old daughter, does not want to stop interacting with me for more than a second or two. At that moment an idea came to me, what if we are interacting together with the laundry folding?
I bring all the laundry to her bedroom, where she is in her baby bed and begin the show. I give her some clothes with different textures that she can touch and put in her mouth and begin the folding laundry show!
I start singing and dancing while throwing clothes in the air, catching them and folding them. Opal's eyes start sparkling as much as mine. We are laughing. I feel super happy making a full show and having such an attentive and happy public!
I remember that when I was young I loved to do this kind of daily show to my parents and loved to see their loving eyes on me. While growing up the occasions of making these shows have lowered to almost none, but a part of me still loves it. Opal is completely captivated by it and her look on me nourishes me. We have a good 15-minute show and fun together.
Yes, I could have folded all of this in less than 5 minutes, but I feel so much more nourished by this moment than by my usual folding laundry moment that I feel it is worth it.
Opal and maybe babies, in general, remind us not to forget the value of playfulness and presence over productivity on the little everyday chores of life!
It’s such a valuable gift they are offering us, as this is what we do every day. So why not make it fun, and enjoyable rather than expecting fun and joy from specific more scarce moments like amusement parks, restaurants, yoga classes, movies etc.?
Thank you Opal for this beautiful remembrance of celebrating each moment of life!