“Pappy?”
“Yes, honey.”
“What is it that you like about me? That makes me special?”
“Well, there are so many things. I’ll have to think on this one.”
“Well, just give me the top one.”
“Ok. Let me see…”
“Is it because I’m an artist? (She is pressing her five year old hand in aqua acrylic paint as she says this and imprinting the canvas.)
“Well, no, I think you would be special even if you were a scientist or something, so no, I don’t think it’s that. Although, you do have a great sense of color.
“Well, just give me one thing of the many things.”
“Well, I guess I’d have to say that what makes you special is that you think alot. You like to think about things. Just like this conversation we are having.”
“Oh, so…I use my head, you mean?”
“Yeah, that’s what I mean, honey.”
“Hmmm. Like when someone says, “What was she thinking!?” or “That girl didn’t use her head!”
“Are you hungry, yet? Does all this thinking make you want to have a cookie or something? Chips? Cheez doodles? A beer?”
“Pappy!! I can’t drink beer. I’m only five!”
“Let me see a picture ID cuz I don’t believe it. I simply don’t.”
©Pat Coakley 2008
PHOTOGRAPHS CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION
That’s a beautiful moment. Thanks or sharing. I always love those candid, totally honest conversations when your kids are not afraid of saying exactly what they’re thinking (or wondering). I try to get a little of that every day.
Pat, all I can say is WOW. Kids are so amazing. I wish God would have seen fit to allow me some of my own. Im so happy for you that you are able to share this with your grandniece and nephew. What a lovely gift.
Oh wows, I honestly don’t know which is greater the fact that your grandniece has such spunk or the fact that you do, perhaps it is both because I can’t stop smiling! Amber, I am up for adoption, my true age is 7, my ID book is fake to allow for my love of wine!
Pappy,
If you don’t mind sharing, where did this nickname come from? That kind of stuff just fascinates me.
Can your little grandniece come over and play with my kids? We live way out in the boonies, and they need some quality friends to interact with now that summer break is here. She sounds like an amazing kid . . .
Keep it up, Pappy.
Brian
Tysdaddy, My grand neice, Bridget, who is 10 now but when she was three, couldn’t say “Patty” but said, “Pappy” and so then and there Pappy was born. When she grew up and could say my name correctly, I said, “Honey, my name is Pappy now. No kidding.” And, I meant it. It was like being reborn a little.
Sanity, I now say “Oh wows” when I see something I like.
Amber: Make note, it’s “Oh wows” from now on.
twobuyfour: I can’t believe you are the same man who walks around with a fork in his thigh. I’m not kidding people, read “Gym Blues”:
http://twobuyfour.wordpress.com/
Ah, you’re making me look forward that much more to the week I’m going to spend with my niece next month!