It was suggested repeatedly that this folio of mandalas needed an introduction. So I read about mandalas, made some notes, and formed a rough outline centered loosely around the concept that the mandala can simultaneously represent one and infinity. I then proceeded to avoid finishing the task at hand by any means deemed unnecessary. 

That evening after my wife and then six year old daughter had theoretically gone to bed I headed to my music studio to work on a composition of sorts. After what I considered a sufficient amount of time for both to be asleep I quietly came back in the house for a drink of water and to leave a note as to my location - I found neither asleep, although mother was much closer than daughter. 

In no time I was finagled into helping my daughter go to sleep. We discussed fear of the unknown and I tried to explain the scientific impossibility of being killed by leeches. I turned off the light and asked her what she would be afraid of most if I left the room. When she replied "having a toothache if I don't do a good job brushing my teeth" I realized she was not really afraid of anything more than falling asleep by herself. I walked over to the bed, her little hand floated around in the dark until it found my hand and then she oddly rearranged it so I was holding her hand. I was done for.  

I laid down on the side of the bed. I knew it was now a contest of who could maintain consciousness longer. I had left everything ON in my studio, I really wanted to stay awake. I thought about integers. I thought about all the historically famous people who had sacrificed family life and moments like these to achievement and the body of knowledge they left the world. I thought about being somewhere between love and ambition. I felt sleepy. What does this have to do with mandalas you ask? I thought about mandalas.  I thought about being home and being happy in that moment between one and infinity with a tiny hand in mine.