If the greatest message for Nelle—a new child—is the question How should I be?, How should we be?, does this not call me too to be more responsive, sensitive, aware of my own ethical disposition towards her? Her plaintive cries and perceived stubbornness can be aggravating, but in closing off, I am refusing myself the greatest message I would wish to teach her. How should I be? must be an ethical question, concerned with character and qualities. (It becomes ontological, onto-ethical, of course, but can start with character.)

Am I kind? Caring? Responsive? Sensitive? Aware? Alert? and Considerate? —

- December 7.