Questions and “things”

Last week in the car, the ever inquisitive First Grader started talking about careers. She loved her teacher last year, she loves her teacher this year, and she just can’t imagine how anyone wouldn’t desire to be a teacher.

Her: Why don’t you want to be a teacher?

Me: Well, I just don’t think I would be good at teaching.

Her {apparently not satisfied with my answer}: Why?

Me {trying to drive and answer a barrage of serious questions at the same time}: Umm, I’m not sure. It’s just never been my thing.

Her: Well, what is your thing?

{* crickets * }

Me: I’m not sure yet. But right now my main thing is raising you.

And, with that the conversation switched to more pressing matters like what snack she would be having when we got home.

There’s nothing quite like a First Grader’s interrogations to make you start thinking. About everything. Some days it’s like living with a therapist. Mine is just shorter, younger, and has a higher-pitched voice than most.

When I pause to consider that conversation, I’m not sure what my “thing” is right now. Maybe I’ve never really known. For now, I just keep coming back to this place where I document our stories and experiences in hopes that one day I’ll either have a clear vision concerning my “thing,” or that I’ll discover I’ve been unconsciously doing my “thing”… or at least some worthwhile “thing” all along.

Meanwhile, the Preschooler’s “thing” seems to be thwarting family pictures as she proved once again this past weekend when we attempted to take a few while everyone was dressed up for the Easter holiday.

The energy she puts into sabotaging pictures is astounding.

Of course, the energy she has everyday is a bit astounding in and of itself. I don’t want to squelch it. I’d just like to better direct it. So, yesterday I took both her and Rosie on a walk around the neighborhood in hopes of getting some of their collective energy out. While we were walking we discussed Easter and what we had just celebrated and talked about at church…

Preschooler: Jesus died.

Me: Yes, he did. But, then what happened?

Preschooler: They put him in a tomb.

Me: And, then?

Preschooler: He rised!

Me: That’s right!

Preschooler: Then he got married!

And, that’s where our story derailed.

I assure you she hasn’t heard that anywhere. She just makes this stuff up for shock value. So, we have to hope that teaching isn’t her “thing” anymore than it’s mine… at least not until we can iron out a few of these very important details.

 

** PS: If you are an email subscriber, I am SO sorry your emails are including old posts and a bunch of additional text at the top of them. I’m trying to remedy that, I just lack the technical knowledge to fix it fast!