I have been pondering, off and on for the past week, something the Girl Child said over Christmas vacation. I suspect that there is something very profound in it because my mind keeps coming back to it to kick it over again. By way of background, I think she was talking about my parents' dog who died last Autumn. I wrote about it before and I know it had an impact on the GC.
Anyway, her words:
Here's the thing: Once, there was a dog who loved me.
And then she walked away. That was it. One simple sentence (actually from a child not yet four, maybe not so simple). But I can't get it out of my head. Once there was a dog who loved me. No matter what I do, I still think its profound without understanding it or her point. Either way, I want to go out and get a dog now.
Posted by Random Penseur at January 5, 2005 10:56 AMSounds like you need to get a dog. They are wonderful companions.
God opening for a novel, actually. Be careful, I might steal it.
Posted by: John at January 5, 2005 03:42 PMIt's interesting how she didn't say that once SHE loved her dog, but that she was loved by it. That she knows at such a young age. Very sweet.
Posted by: Amber at January 5, 2005 06:03 PMBut she DID say she loved the dog -- only not in those words. I don't think she wants another dog so much as she wants to know where that dog that loved went.
We were at my grandfather's funeral some years ago when my nephew was about the Girl Child's age. After a few hours he tugged at and said "Uncle Bobby, Grampa's not getting up..."
There were some nervous laughs all 'round and I picked him up saying "No, he isn;t, is he...?"
I didn't want to get all morose and explain death to a 4-yr-old, so I kinda just mentioned that we all take "one last good-night". I said something like "Y'know when yer tired at the end of the day and want to get some sleep?" "Yeah...?" "Well, after a lifetime of days like that, we all get tired and are ready for a one last good night's sleep. Y'know?" "Yeah..." I don't know if he knew or not, but he seemed to get it enough to be at least a little less in the dark about why gramps wasn't getting up.
Posted by: Tuning Spork at January 5, 2005 11:09 PMI think children are FAR more intuitive than we adults give them credit for. (Geesh. Grammar sucks, but you know what I mean, right?) And Girl Child seems to be leaps and bounds ahead of the average in this regard. She says exactly what she means and speaks from her heart.
And that you take the time to really listen and are moved by what your child says to you really DOES say a lot about you, RP, as a parent.
These are very good things. :)
Posted by: Margi at January 5, 2005 11:20 PMSometimes things are as complicated and as simple as that. Especially when they are still so tender, sweet and perfect.
Posted by: Helen at January 6, 2005 05:57 AMThanks for all the comments, y'all.
JohnL: Can't really get a dog right now. Seems like we're just barely handling the responsibilities we do have!
John: First line of a novel, huh? Why not? Beats "it was a dark and stormy night".
Amber: I am constantly amazed by the little but very precise distinctions she can draw between things. It was very sweet, indeed.
TS: That was a beautiful thing to say. Where were you when I was being asked these tough questions by my daughter and had her in my lap crying that she did not want to die? Boy, I could have used your help then!
Margi: I usually know what you mean and love the fact that you care enough about grammer to make a point of it. Thanks for the all the nice things you said!
Helen: Yup, it really was just perfect.
Posted by: RP at January 6, 2005 08:47 AM