Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Humility


There is nothing more humbling than
a conversation with an honest child.

When twin boy was eight,
he stumbled into the bathroom unexpectedly
and the first words from his mouth were,
"Don't worry, Mom! I won't laugh!"

It's good to know that the first emotion my nakedness produces
is barely suppressed laughter.

And then at times, without warning
I find myself looking down into the large eyes of a small person
who has silently appeared by my side to comment with awe and wonder,

"You ate that really fast."

The truth about my body, my actions,
my private blunders and my humanness
are revealed through the smiling candor of the children around me.

Innocent observations about
wrinkles, moles, white lies,
hidden laundry piles, poor driving skills
and whether or not I had my eyes closed during prayer.

All of that, accepted with blind love and
small hands patting me on the back.

Yesterday twin boy made an important query
on our paddle boat ride in the middle of Lake Lansing.
I saw that he was glancing down at the specifications label
next to the steering rudder,

"Mom,"
he said, reading about the 900 lb limit,

"how much do you weigh?"

*

7 comments:

Diane said...

BAH ha ha ha ha. I love it!

Michelle said...

I'm getting used to being busted and feeling a pair of eyes and ears on me all the time. So far little man has commented by asking what the speed limit was. At the time I was currently exceeding it. Yes. Humility.

Kelle said...

That's hilarious! Awww...kids are so sweet...even when they embarrass us! xoxo

Anonymous said...

Oh Heather, that is really funny.

You have some great kids. All of them.

By the way, how much DO you weigh?

Dad

Beth said...

Is twin boy a math genius? If not, I would have answered with a ridiculously low weight.

patresa hartman said...

oh this post made me laugh laugh laugh. 'you ate that really fast.'

i love the purity of kids. :)

Beth said...

Remember me.....Carin's friend:) I love this post. I love all the things my kids have said and continue to say to me too!

I see another family member with GREAT writing skills.....love your blog.