Thank you to Mimi for letting us experience the joy of all the newness in her world as she starts to explore language, and to you Simon for sharing her through you own love filled eyes and heart. Language is such a magical process and those connections & associations we make shape so much of who we perceived ourself to be 💕
This was such a beautifully written reflection, Simon. The way you capture the evolution of language and identity through Mimi’s eyes is deeply moving. What a wonderful reminder of how much words shape our understanding of ourselves and the spaces we inhabit.
Every child is a masterpiece, every parent is his or her author, until they are old enough to write their own life. Mimi is being written by you very beautifully, Simon.
I just want to say, that ever since forever I have had War and Peace on my shelf and never read it, being daunted by it. I have no excuse now, one day to do so, with this substack existing.
Thanks, Harpreet. The other one, the older hairier one: the big brother. He's definitely begun writing his own story. It's as mad as anything, and I'd expect no less. Read War and Peace one day, it's transformative.
What a lovely little namer she is. We know here how important words are. I wonder if Thomas More actually said that 'just words' thing. If so, what did he know 😁 you can't build Utopia without words.
I'm behind with Siege but persevering. Very much looking forward to more Hilary in May and will probably return to Wolf Crawl next year. I'm missing it.
Anyway, I'm off for a job interview this afternoon so please send all your positive vibes my way.
This is so beautiful, love radiates from your words. You sum up with such joy, how becoming a parent changes us, how we begin to see life like a child again, with awe.
It reminded me of the film, Poor Things which I watched recently. If you've not seen it I recommend.
What a lovely post Simon. Language acquisition is such a wonderful thing, and seeing little kids walking through the world and bringing it all to life with words is such a privilege. Thank you for reminding me.
I love your story of Mimi, Simon. I loved when my sons went through the possessive stage and said "My Daddy." The memory of that still grabs my heart. I also loved your reference to "Through the Looking Glass" and the forest where 'things have no name,' and Alice has the tender meeting with the fawn. I taught Lewis Carroll in the 4th grade and they loved "Through the Looking Glass." Thank you for this lovely post.
Oh lovely. I am very slowly writing a guide for the Audrey App (https://www.listenwithaudrey.com/) for Alice Through The Looking Glass, although writing for Footnotes and Tangents is currently monopolising all of my time!
awww such a beautiful post Simon! Mimi is adorable, and it is nice to see this personal side of your life. Thanks for sharing about your precious child and the sweet relationship you have with her. No doubt our kids open up a whole new dimension in our lives that is to be treasured. I have 4 grown kids [37, 34, 34, and 20] and each has brought so much depth to our lives. Now I have the gift of grandchildren and sharing their wonder and curiousity and enthusiasm. The kids bring out my inner child and ability to appreciate life.
Thank you to Mimi for letting us experience the joy of all the newness in her world as she starts to explore language, and to you Simon for sharing her through you own love filled eyes and heart. Language is such a magical process and those connections & associations we make shape so much of who we perceived ourself to be 💕
This was such a beautifully written reflection, Simon. The way you capture the evolution of language and identity through Mimi’s eyes is deeply moving. What a wonderful reminder of how much words shape our understanding of ourselves and the spaces we inhabit.
Thank you! Absolutely.
Every child is a masterpiece, every parent is his or her author, until they are old enough to write their own life. Mimi is being written by you very beautifully, Simon.
I just want to say, that ever since forever I have had War and Peace on my shelf and never read it, being daunted by it. I have no excuse now, one day to do so, with this substack existing.
Thanks, Harpreet. The other one, the older hairier one: the big brother. He's definitely begun writing his own story. It's as mad as anything, and I'd expect no less. Read War and Peace one day, it's transformative.
What a lovely little namer she is. We know here how important words are. I wonder if Thomas More actually said that 'just words' thing. If so, what did he know 😁 you can't build Utopia without words.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8czs8v6PuI
I'm behind with Siege but persevering. Very much looking forward to more Hilary in May and will probably return to Wolf Crawl next year. I'm missing it.
Anyway, I'm off for a job interview this afternoon so please send all your positive vibes my way.
Sending you all the words you need for your interview, Nicola!
This is so beautiful, love radiates from your words. You sum up with such joy, how becoming a parent changes us, how we begin to see life like a child again, with awe.
It reminded me of the film, Poor Things which I watched recently. If you've not seen it I recommend.
What a lovely post Simon. Language acquisition is such a wonderful thing, and seeing little kids walking through the world and bringing it all to life with words is such a privilege. Thank you for reminding me.
I love your story of Mimi, Simon. I loved when my sons went through the possessive stage and said "My Daddy." The memory of that still grabs my heart. I also loved your reference to "Through the Looking Glass" and the forest where 'things have no name,' and Alice has the tender meeting with the fawn. I taught Lewis Carroll in the 4th grade and they loved "Through the Looking Glass." Thank you for this lovely post.
Oh lovely. I am very slowly writing a guide for the Audrey App (https://www.listenwithaudrey.com/) for Alice Through The Looking Glass, although writing for Footnotes and Tangents is currently monopolising all of my time!
What a lovely description of life with Mimi. And that you for these reading groups, they are a lifeline of sanity for me.
Thanks for the mention, Simon!
awww such a beautiful post Simon! Mimi is adorable, and it is nice to see this personal side of your life. Thanks for sharing about your precious child and the sweet relationship you have with her. No doubt our kids open up a whole new dimension in our lives that is to be treasured. I have 4 grown kids [37, 34, 34, and 20] and each has brought so much depth to our lives. Now I have the gift of grandchildren and sharing their wonder and curiousity and enthusiasm. The kids bring out my inner child and ability to appreciate life.
But of course everything belongs to Mimi. All's right with the world ♥️
It's definitely Mimi's world. We're just lucky to live in it.
So evocative. Lovely post, thank you 🤩
From one Mimi to another—you go girl! Thanks Simon, reading this reflection really made my day.
What a lovely post, Simon.
So lovely Simon! Thank you for sharing.