Somewhere between thinking about war, the economy, job uncertainty… and what to make for dinner, checking school diary notes, deciding between a pedicure or rosemary oil, and whether I really need that vase - my brain was running 47 tabs at once (yes, this is my normal state).
My daughter quietly observing me:
Her: What are you thinking, ma?
Me: Nothing… you won’t get it.
Her: Try me.
Me: Okay… about war, all the sadness around… and what could happen to my job this year.
Her (calmly): Ma, you know… yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.
Me: Okay okay, I know… I think I saw that in a Disney movie.
Her: Nooo ma! It’s from Kung Fu Panda. Master Oogway says it!
(Me in my head: mentally noting to ask Google/ChatGPT later who actually said it)
Me: Oh ya… I know that quote!
Her: Knowing and doing are different, ma. What’s the use of just knowing? You have to actually live it… cling to it.
Me… sipping water… slightly shocked… and slightly proud...And in that moment, I realised —
I might be the parent, but she is clearly the Master Oogway of this house 🐢✨
