Day 98

Yesterday was the littlest barbarian's Birthing Day Ritual, her true birthing day isn't for another couple of days, but we celebrated her ritual early so that more of the Elders and our friends could attend.  I am still struggling to wrap my mind around the idea that the littlest barbarian is nearly one year old. It has gone so quickly.

We rose early yesterday to the realization that we had not yet prepared the traditional birthing day food offering. My partner ended up having to run to Wayfarer's twice for things that I had neglected to trade for earlier in the week. Since we had planned the Ritual for noon, it was a busy morning changing the rushes on the floors of the huts and tidying up the trails between huts. Added to that was quickly making the traditional offering. It turned out quite well, if I can say so myself.

The littlest barbarian was delighted with the company that joined us in the Gathering Hall to celebrate. She particularly enjoyed shredding the papers that wrapped the offerings that our guests brought. The elder barbarians grew bored with the Ritual before the opening of the presents and went raiding at a nearby settlement. They were slightly disappointed to find the littlest barbarian playing with new toys when they returned.

After the Ritual, we went out to a Communal Dining Hall down near the markets with a few of our guests. The barbarians were so well behaved while we were out, I was so proud of them. It is moments like those that I feel all of our efforts toward civilizing the barbarians have hope at a positive outcome.

Today, my partner was again called away on an extra hunt. I am hopeful that his pack of hunters will fill in their ranks soon and the necessity of his extra efforts will diminish. I am so proud of his successes at the hunt and I know he is too, but I do so miss him when he is away from the settlement so much.

The Most Honorable Elders have taken the elder pair of barbarians on an adventure this afternoon while my partner is away so it has just been the littlest barbarian, the White Wolf, and I at the settlement. Even before the Elders took the older barbarians, it was a wonderful day in the settlement filled with laughter and peace.

Now, however, the worst part of my evening is upon me. The littlest barbarian does not enjoy bedtime. We have been working toward her falling asleep on her own. It is a necessary skill and I am aware that good sleep habits at a young age foster good sleep habits as they grow older, but I hate to hear her cry.

I find it difficult to give her time to settle on her own when she struggles to fall asleep. It only takes a few minutes, usually, but even one plaintive wail shreds my heart.

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