Autumn

Autumn

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

It's The Little Things

This morning when she walked from her father's house she was as cute as a button. She wore her school logo sweatshirt, her dark blue skorts with very colorful leggings. Her school shoes had a shine. Her hair was pulled back in a pony tail and she carried a pillow pet. Purple. She walked directly to my leg and gave it my morning hug.

It was a morning for questions.

In the truck and down the road, "Papa, did you remember to bring my snacks?"

"Yes, Honey, Papa remembered."

"Rice Krispie Treats," I said yes. She squeals in delight. It's the little things...

When I turn the nose of the truck towards the sunrise, she takes her rose colored sunglasses (really, rose tinted) and puts them on and takes my arm and places it on her pillow pet, just so. I asked why she liked my arm, just so. "Because it makes me feel good, Papa."  I love this child.

Along the marsh the ducks and geese, as is their morning routine, move from the lake towards the river and we count their numbers. "Papa, why can't birds fly in reverse?"

"They can, Little Bit."

"How?"

"They just point their noses in the opposite direction."

"Oh."  Then, after a few moments of thought, "Papa, that's just silly." 


I agreed.

Soon we approach the second of two bridges, a special bridge. The pavement at the foot of the bridge has a slight rise and forms a 'fun' bump. When the bump is hit at the proper speed it gives one that slight 'belly drop' sensation. Little Bit loves it. Thing is, she always covers her face and never actually watches as we ride over the bump.

"Here it comes. Get ready."

She places her face deep into the pillow pet and begins an endless series of giggles. "Go fast, Papa, go fast."

Afterward, as her squeals of delight fade, "Papa, why does it make my tummy feel good?"

"Because, Honey, there's a little man in your tummy and when your tummy floats he reaches and tickles the bottom of your belly button."

Silence. Then a smile.

Then a frown.

In one rapid outburst, "Papa, what is debt? Because Daddy said he's got to go into debt and him and mommy fought about it last night and he made me go to my room and I didn't like it cause they screamed at each other and I cried, Papa."

Sigh.

"Little Bit."

She has her head back on the pillow pet, her friend, with her arms locked around mine. We're close to our destination. It was, such a nice morning.

"What, Papa."

I explained debt, and continued,  "Do you know why Daddy must go into debt?"

"They had a leak in their bedroom last week when it rained, Papa, and the rain leaked real bad and came down on their ceiling fan and the fan took the rain and slung the water all around in a big circle in the bedroom and soaked their bed, and they made me sleep on the couch and they took my bed, Papa, and I didn't like it."

She took a deep breath. She gives me her big brown eyes, and waits.

"So, you were able to camp out." She blinks. Then, "Oh, yeah, I did."

"Don't feel bad about Daddy sending you to your room, Sweetheart. When parents argue they forget about their children and seem to always ask them to go to their bedrooms. You're not in trouble. Mommy and Daddy just have a problem which will cost them a lot of money. Don't worry about it. Papa will help."

"Papa."

"What, Honey."


" Thank you, Papa, but I still need to know why birds can't fly in reverse."

I'll think of an answer, soon.


Stephen

31 comments:

  1. Tell her Hummingbirds can fly in reverse and sideways they are like little sugar addicted helicopters. Also I say a duck fly backwards in a tornado once.

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  2. Birds don't fly in reverse because they don't have eyes on their butts.

    lol! (three kids and two grands)

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  3. Next time Little Bit insists on an answer to an animal question, perhaps turn the tables on her by asking how do Pink Flamingo's eat?

    (Answer: [well, it sufficed for our daughter many years ago] "Backwards" - they drag their beaks backwards to scoop up their meal :) ) FYI, our daughter replied: "On one foot" LOL

    I will answer any number of questions from my 8-year-old grandson, but eventually I ask him one which he has to find the answer for. He needs to discover his brain can investigate, as well as absorb other's knowledge. :)

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  4. Stephen, Corey has a point with the hummingbirds. Their birds and they fly like helicopters on a sugar high, lol

    Sounds like Lit Bit is getting a quick education on debt from over hearing her parents argue. I like how you explained to her about debt and did the quick turn around about sleeping on the couch (Camping).

    She is so precious, you have a great Grand Daughter there!

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    1. Not sure why I didn't think of hummingbirds, Sandy. And yes she is indeed getting a quick education in debt. Shame it has to be this way, but she listens carefully when her parents argue. Shame. Thanks, Dear Sandy.

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  5. I see seagulls & ravens flying backward up here all the time, but only when facing a strong wind. But the answer about not being to see behind them when they back up is a good one.

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    1. I can imagine. Those winds could blow feathers off ducks. Thank Rev. Paul, my good friend.

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  6. It's much easier to answer the bird question than the debt question.

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    1. Indeed it was...the debt question opens doors in all directions. None good. Thanks, my friend.

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  7. I love the glimpse you give us into your ordinary interactions with Little Bit. They are sweet and funny and sometimes a little sad, but I just love how you love her.

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    1. Thanks, my lovely friend. I do it for her. She is my heart.

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  8. I do always enjoy reading these :)
    She must be such a joy for you to share your time with :)

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    1. PISSED, my friend, not sure what I'd do with myself if she were not a part of my life...thanks, my good friend.

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  9. Aside from the aforementioned hummingbirds, it's a matter of biomechanics and aerodynamics. Flying objects are mostly designed to fly in one direction helicopters being the notable exception. Try throwing a dart fin end first sometime. It will quickly swap ends to have the pointy end going forward. Watch an aerobatic performance of a hammer head stall sometime. Same concept.

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    1. Very good points. Makes my head hurt thinking about it. Thanks, my friend.

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  10. Little kids come up with the strangest questions.

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  11. Tell her they can fly in reverse, but only during days with strong winds.

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  12. I used to have my son convinced that tire remnants on the side of the road were actually gator babies. It went on for years when he was a toddler until one day he said to me "Dad those road gators look alot like tires".

    I will never forget that.

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    1. Hey, me too. My son always said, upon spotting one, hey Dad, shoot it. Thanks, Bubba.

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  13. Hummingbirds can fly in reverse, and even hover. Other birds are not shaped the right way and cannot flap their wings to push the air to push them backwards.

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    1. Thanks, TinCan. Weird little boogers, aren't they...

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  14. I love that girl. Funny thing, both my girls have their own animal pillow and love to hug my arm as well. Children (especially the grand ones) are such a gift.

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    1. Me too, 45er. She's hard not to love. I once asked her why she loves to hug my arm...because it makes me feel good was her answer. Thanks, my good friend.

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  15. Very good post. Once again I say you are so lucky to have her. I am sure Papa will come up with a good answer to all of her queries. Keep on keepin' on, my friend.

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    1. Thank you, John. God has indeed blessed me and I thank him every day...

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  16. She'll like that one, mmasse. Thanks, my friend.

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