The unexpected is something that can brighten even my most sour moods. It makes my eyes smile. Genuine happiness. One such moment of this past week is worthy of sharing.
Trick of Treat…what?
Our daughter Zoe is a very happy child. She gallops, literally, around the house. She makes funny noises hoping to get a laugh or two from her dazed parents. Of course, I encourage her giggling; the absurd can be quite absurd. Zoe’s smile is so incredible and incredibly contagious. As Teri has learned, it’s hard not to laugh when you are mere inches away from that smiling face. During our sober walk through the neighborhood this Halloween, Zoe strutted in her horse costume far ahead of her siblings, placing herself in front of each door. And, out of the blue, a few doors later, as one neighbor grabbed a bag of candy, Zoe blurted out, “Trick of treat, poo poo head,” followed by a burst of giggling, “poo poo head, trick or treat”.
Trick of treat, poo poo head. Such statements lead us quickly into that “mortifunny” state that afflicts parents like us. Reminiscent of four year old Taylor’s “ah, my snowman melted, damn it” one late November afternoon four years ago, no amount of “now Zoe, that’s not appropriate” got through to her that evening, and that was before she ate any of that candy.
Trick or treat poo poo head. See, there’s my problem, it’s pretty damn funny.
Oh, Teri reminded me of one more Zoe moment last week. Here is the short conversation as recorded by my lovely wife... "Love is not meat, mom", said Zoe. "What?", said mom, who then looks around the room at the table where Zoe is stealing her sister's meat..."and Love is not stealing your sisters meat (off her lunch)", said mom. "That's stupid!!" said Zoe and she stomped off.
RSS Feed