Lines / 線條

通常我們從人的外形或言語辨識出他的改變，但是在幾個月內要看出微妙的不同畢竟不是那麼顯而易見，此時線條就派上用場。

Usually we rely on a person’s changes of appearance or language to discern his or her differences. However, changes over a short period of time are too subtle to detect. At this time, lines can serve a similar function.

好久沒當保母，難得小方不想和爸媽出去小晃一下，我們留在家用色鉛筆塗塗抹抹，因為數個月沒和他一起畫畫，我驚覺他拿筆的方式變穩了，對於空間的掌握也比之前進步，上了三個多月的美術課，成果全顯現在調色，整個人感覺有信心許多。我看著他色彩繽紛的區塊很羨慕地說：你這塊畫得真好，我要學你，他也回答：你畫得很棒，你用過的色筆給我，我要試試看。接著他問了一連串雙色混和的可能性，我們就這麼吵吵鬧鬧地玩了好一會。

I haven’t babysat for a long while, and since Von doesn’t feel like going out with his parents, we stay at home to doodle. Not having drawn with him for several months, I am kind of shocked to find that he holds a pen much better than before. Also, he has acquired a stronger sense of space. After taking the art lesson for more than three months, his progress is demonstrated in the ways he mixes colors. Overall, he appears to be more confident. I look at his colorful parts, saying with envy, “This is well done. I want to do the same.” He replies, “You do a great job too. Leave me the pencils you just used. I would like to take a try.” Then he asks a series of questions about the results of mixing different sets of colors, from which we derive a lot of fun in making crazy guesses and acting really silly.

最近我對於機械式練習很有興趣，不論是字體造型或各種圖案，我看到了都忍不住在札記本上塗鴉，於是我發現，今天的線條和昨天的力道不一樣，更不要說是幾個月之後的改變，等到別人察覺時，我已經在離出發點很遠的地方，再加上感受到小方的成長，我不禁覺得自己更要向前走。

Lately I’ve been interested in mechanical exercise, either in typography or visual patterns. I can’t help scribbling in my sketchbook when I see something I find worth imitating. Through the everyday practice, I thus realize that my lines today differ from those of yesterday, not to mention the change in a few months. When others are aware of it, I will be a world far from where I am. Now Von’s growth pushes me to move forward as well.

儘管我們一直獲得，卻也一直失去，知道小方很喜歡倫敦和雙層巴士，我邀請他到時候來找我，幾個月前的他會說，請媽咪帶我去，現在的他寫實地回答：我不會講英文，我有點啼笑皆非地說，我會啊！還好，圖畫完之後，我問他要不要帶回家，他用一貫地體貼說：留給你，因為你會想我。生活裡每天每天像過往雲煙地消逝，但是我想要永遠記住這句話和他此刻的線條。

Though we are constantly gaining something, we are losing something else in the meanwhile. Knowing that Von takes a particular fancy to London and double-deckers, I invite him to come visit me when I make it there. He would have said, “I’ll ask Mommy to take me,” a few months ago. Now he weighs the reality before answering, “I can’t speak English.” I am rather amused, wondering how come it didn’t occur to him that I can. Fortunately, after we finish the picture, I ask him if he’d like to take it home. He says with his typical thoughtfulness, “I want you to keep it because when you miss me, you can look at it.” Every day in life evaporates at the speed of light, but I want to remember Von’s words and lines at this moment, forever.