Recipes

So, I am pretty sure it would never occur to my mother to cook something without a recipe. The fact that I would and she wouldn't seems to really represent the difference between us. She has told me my whole life that since I was born, I have opened her eyes to new things. I have helped her grow, helped her think differently, helped her -- maybe one day -- to consider cooking without instructions.

Since my mom has always been so open with me, I have always known that there is a good chance I would get a child who is nothing like me -- like my mom did.

I think that child is Quinn.

Quinn mixes her watercolors. She doesn't do it on accident like I did as a kid. She does it on purpose to make new colors. In my whole life it has never occurred to me to use a basic watercolor set and make hundreds of beautiful colors. When I see a kid's watercolor kit all messy with a little brown in each circle, I think it is time to throw it away. But not Quinn. She likes it that way. That is how she paints, and everything she paints is ten times more gorgeous than anything I have ever dreamed of making.

Today while she colored, I asked her if I could borrow her paints. I sat with her, and I painted a picture of "Daddy." It didn't look like Tim, and I used mixtures and messes of paints. Quinn gave me little tips along the way. It turned into the most beautiful watercolor I have ever made.

Thanks, Quinn.

Thanks, Mom.

I'm glad it all works out the way it does.