We’re driving home from another busy day. We’ve seen friends and family, been to the park, shopped, and had lunch at a nearby pub, me and my girls.
As we wend our way through shiny puddled streets, I glance in the mirror. Miss E is sat back in her chair, eyes fixed on her window and the world outside. Her blonde hair rests half in, half out of the collar of her cardigan, and her hands are soft on her lap. Miss M is tired but thoughtful. Thumb in mouth, one hand twisting a ribbon of hair, the other rests on her tummy, plucking at her seatbelt absently, eyes fixed on the door handle. Then a little voice pipes up:
Miss M: ”Mummy. What does it feel like to be you?”
My eyes back on the road I clear my throat, giving myself a few extra seconds to think.
Me: ”Erm, it feels nice hon. I have two beautiful daughters and I’m a very happy Mummy.”
Miss M: ”But what does it feel like to be a grown up Mummy?”
Me: ”Well, it feels just like being a kid in lots of ways. We just have more stuff to do maybe. Like cooking and cleaning, and making sure our kids are ok, and going to work…”
Miss M: But what is it like inside?
I pause, unsure as to what she is asking. I mean, are we talking physical or emotional? Is she asking for my hopes and dreams, or if my heart is in the same place as hers?
Me: ”Erm, just like you are inside I suppose honey.”
Miss M: ”Sometimes I feel all dark inside.”
My heart is suddenly on a bungee, going down, down, preparing to bounce back up and take out my throat.
Me: ”Do you babe? Like if you’re sad or something?”
I glance nervously in the mirror for a second as I turn into our street, waiting for her reply.
Miss M: ”No. If my mouth’s closed.”
Miss E: ”It’s alright M. Light can get in through your nostrils.”
Sighhh. I love their little heads.
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July 22nd, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Um, Jo. Did you do Biology at school?
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:11 pm
don’t forget ears. We all know light comes through the ears.
Good answer, Jo!
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:17 pm
LOL! Too cute!
July 22nd, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Oh. My. The way her mind works…it is beyond beyond delightful!
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Great stuff.
When i was about ten we went to stay with a friend of my dad’s. He was a fantastic man, had a massive train set in his attic, a juke box in his hall, and an American WW2 jeep in his garage that he was willing to let a 10 year old boy drive around in the fields behind his house (did i mention he was rich? very very rich.)
Anyhow, the one thing he didn’t have was kids. He and his wife weren’t able to.
When we were there we went for a walk. I found myself walking alongside him quite a way back from the rest of my family. He turned to me and said in a conspiratorial whisper “Can I tell you a secret?”
I virtually idolized this man and was very eager to hear what he had to say.
“when I was a little boy” he told me “I always wondered what it would be like to be a grown up. And now I am a grown up I know. Would you like to know how it feels?”
I nodded
“It feels exactly like being a little boy!”
To be fair, I think he was probably right.
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:15 pm
How lovely
July 22nd, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Adorable!
My 6 year old son asked me today how I feel about paying a mortgage! How does he even know what a mortgage is?
July 22nd, 2009 at 6:07 pm
Hahahahahaha!!!!!! I love her – well, both of them!
July 22nd, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Oh, this is really giving me the giggles very bad. Here you were all ready for a philosophical discussion and she comes up with that! Oh, it’s great! I can’t stop laughing, hee. hee…
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:02 am
That is freaking hilarious. Leave it to a kid to make you think you’re about to embark on a really deep, emotionally stirring conversation, that suddenly ends with “Light can get in through your nostrils.”
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:04 am
Well, thank HEAVENS for the those nostrils, then! Phew!
That’s hilarious. And darling. I love that Miss E knew exactly where Miss M was going with that, and was able to offer suitable comfort. So stinking cute!
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:26 am
Hehehe I had to read this one out loud to Richard!!! And Dan’s comment too. Brilliant
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:53 pm
But what happens if you blow your nose with your mouth shut?!
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Well, she’s VERY logical, I think!
July 24th, 2009 at 1:21 am
So cute! (But what a relief!) I loved Dan’s comment too.
July 24th, 2009 at 2:14 am
That is a smart child, right there.
But I know that heart-stopping feeling when you imagine some action or neglect you’ve inflicted on them has created a deep trauma – like the first time I heard Flea say she was afraid of something, or sad about something. Such a relief to know Miss M is such a pragmatist!
July 24th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Iota, it was a long long time ago. ;D
Mie yes, the ears too, heh heh.
Karisma, that’s what I thought too. She’s a loon that one.
Kim so do I. But sometimes it’s scary. You never know what she’ll come out with next.
Dan, your comment made me melt. What a lovely lovely man, and what an amazing place for you to spend time in.
SandyCalico, sometimes she makes me melt a little.
Tara he’s a clever one like his Mum. It’s mad what they pick up on isn’t it?
Sybil me too. They’re like a double act sometimes.
Irene me too. I nearly choked.
Erin it was a perfect comedy moment. And I was so relieved.
Brillig I loved that too. When M was tiny E would often translate.
Catherine you wait, your little one will be coming out with some fabulous lines soon.
Rosie, don’t worry, Mie has the answer.
Susan, that’s one word foe her.
Preseli Mags, definitely a relief. And yes. Dan’s comment is lovely. He should tell us the story properly shouldn’t he.
Sally that’s it. You just think, ‘Oh my God, what’s coming?’
July 25th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Oh how cute! If S had said that to me I would have panicked a bit too! x