Down the Drain

I was watching the show Modern Marvels, and learned that an average of 7 million cell phones are flushed down toilets each year in this country. Think about that for a moment. Most of us pay approximately $100 per month for phone service, and we sometimes pay hundreds of dollars for the phone itself. And then in the blink of an eye there goes our link to modern society down the drain. Now phones with cords make so much more sense. At least then you could fish the phone out without getting your hands all wet.

Where am I

I heard yet another little kid story today. A grandmother was preparing to take her preschool grandson to the library, a place he really enjoyed going. As she walked to the car, she realized that he had gone back into the house. She found him staring at a family portrait made of his family before he was born. He looked at grandmother and said, "Where am I?" Being grandma she came back with a quick reply. She said, "You were still an angel in heaven, and were not with us yet." The little boy replied, "Grandmother I don't want to go to heaven I want to go to the library!"

There is some pretty deep theological and philosophical questions here. But, who cares. It is so great to hear the honesty of the child, and the simple truth that all he really wanted to do was go to the library.

Let Me "Splain"

A caucasian couple had three biological daughters. Then they adopted to older boys from Africa. One day while shopping in Wal-Mart, the family was confronted with the reality of someone's stupidity. I heard someone say that you can cure ignorance, but there's nothing you can do about stupidity. A woman approached this mother of five and said, "I guess they are not from the same dad." Before the mom could respond tactfully the smallest daughter put her hand on her hip and said, "Let me splain it to you. When my mommy was pregnant with my brothers she drank chocolate milk!"

As we travel along this journey it might be a good idea to think before we speak. I know from personal experience that what we say can and does hurt people. However, the real danger in opening our mouth without thinking is the genuine threat of being put in our place by a young child.

More Holes

I heard a humorous story yesterday. It seems that a maintenance man was doing some landscaping at residential home for children. While digging in the flower bed, a small boy approached him and asked a typical child's question, "What are you doing?" The man replied, perhaps inappropriately, "I digging holes to put mean children in." The young boy pondered the statement and then responded, "You're gonna need more holes."

I am sure that this was a reference to all his friends on campus and not himself. You just have to love the spontaneity and innocence of a child. There are comedians that work hard and even have other people who write jokes for them. And then here comes a little child that says something that just causes you to laugh out loud.

I learned today that former White House spokesman, Tony Snow died. Like most Americans our news media seem almost like arch enemies or close friends, even though most of us have never met them. Tony Snow seemed like someone that I would enjoy spending some time with. Last year he gave a speech at Catholic University, and pretty much sums up for me why it would have been good just to have a day to sit down and discuss life with Tony. Please follow this link and read his speech. It shouldn't take too long to read, and will be worth a pause on your journey to do so.

"My Feelings Exactly"

I heard a cute story about a small boy, who was either in kindergarten or the first grade when this happened. He had been studying George Washington at school, and really learned to like old George. One day at the dinner table the little boy said to his mother, "Mom, George Washington is dead." After a long pause, he then said with a great deal of emotion, "I MISS HIM SO MUCH!"

Have you ever felt that way about someone. Well, I have. Right now my wife and daughter are overseas, and will be there for several more days. Although, I am so excited for them, I have to confess I MISS THEM SO MUCH!

Celebrating Twenty Years

Yesterday my daughter celebrated her 2oth birthday. Her comment just before bedtime last night was, "It didn't seem much like a birthday, but I have had a pretty good one." She started a new job, and had dinner out with her dad. We came home to a small birthday cake with one candle on top representing her 20 years. We discussed earlier in the week how birthdays seem to take on less significance the older we get. And yet, that still beats the alternative.

As we sat together at a local eating establishment, I could not help but think what others might be thinking about us. Do I look old enough to be eating dinner out with my daughter, or was I some middle aged man who was out with a young woman that looked young enough to be my daughter? Well, I am not sure what others thought, and know for sure that most of those around us could care less. However, I do know what I was thinking.

Here in front of me sat a young lady, who showed signs of maturity and style that impressed the socks off her dad. She spoke of her new job and all that she had learned in just one day. She spoke about the people at the office, and her desk that came with all the electronic gadgets needed to do her job well. And all I could think about was how short this journey seemed. Twenty years have passed and yet she is still our little girl.