Back to the Future – the weight of the world
We chat on the way to the supermarket in the car. It is a proper chat because it is not about Pokemon. Who ever thought that we would ever enjoy a casual chat! The casual chat has been instigated by me, because I wish to distract from the imminent torture of the supermarket. It’s a thoroughly delightful new tactic. The chat is also prompted by the Brain Quest Third Grade (3rd Edition). As they are about to enter 4th and 5th grades in the Fall it is obvious that they are both well below grade level academically. When they were little, the answers were easy but the words were difficult. Now the answers are elusive but the words flow much more freely. All too often I find that as one thing advances another recedes, it’s a trade off. I believe it’s quite common. You can see it in “John Elder Robison’s” book called “Look me in the Eye.” When John was little he had extraordinary talents but as an adult those skills were unavailable to him. The chat comes to an abrupt halt.
“Lets not talk about it any more.”
“Why dear?”
“Coz I don wanna talk about dah future.”
“How come?”
“Coz I worry about dah future.”
“What is there to worry about?”
“My babies.”
“What babies?”
“My children.”
“But you don’t have any children yet.”
“I know and I’m worried I’m not gonna have any.”
“Why won’t you have any?”
“Coz of dah married bit.”
“The married bit?”
“No-one’s gonna wanna marry me.”
“Oh no, you’re quite wrong there. I’m absolutely sure that there’s someone out there for you, just the right one.”
“But I can’t do it.”
“Er…..do what dear?”
“Dah slow dancing.”
“Slow dancing! I don’t think that’s very important. Not everyone likes to dance. Anyway, you’re so good at fast dancing and robot dancing. Lots of people like that too.”
“Dya think?”
“Indeed I do!”
“No…..dya think dat…….one day when I am all grown up dat I will be being……a…da, .a… da, …..a…da……”
“Be what dear? A dad?”
“Adorable?”
And don’t forget to add your name to the “book giveaway.”
August 14th, 2009 at 5:20 am
If I could, I’d marry him! Tell him he’s already adorable! xo
August 14th, 2009 at 5:45 am
Oh dear, he is incredibly adorable, isn’t he? So many worries.
August 14th, 2009 at 6:30 am
Adorable.
Check.
August 14th, 2009 at 7:16 am
I really love how you capture the kids’ “voices” in your writing. He is absolutely adorable. As will be your grandchildren!
August 14th, 2009 at 7:35 am
heart wrenching – the worries. so real, so hard to hear. but so well played, mum. perfect, truly -er- adorable.
August 14th, 2009 at 8:12 am
Utterly, totally, thoroughly adorable.
I hear echoes of my John-Elder-Robison-influenced mixer-board metaphor. One switch slides up, another slides down…
August 14th, 2009 at 9:04 am
He’ll find some slow dance-hating partner in the (near or far) future, no problem. I never liked it or was any good at it either.
August 14th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Oh yes, plenty of adorable going on here. I love this post!
August 14th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
I have always adored how well and easily you pull us into the conversation with your adept use of dialogue; this is no exception.
And for some reason, the “being good at robot dancing” really cracks me up.
August 15th, 2009 at 12:19 am
Definitely adorable!
I have seen that, too, with my Willy. Having the words used to be so difficult. Now, as concepts are getting tougher, understanding how the words portray meaning is the tougher deal. Social studies and science are the hardest for reading comprehension — and as poorly written as some of his assignments are, I really can’t blame him there!
August 15th, 2009 at 6:51 am
Simply adorable!
CJ xx
August 15th, 2009 at 10:09 am
Adorable indeed! I just love this little guy and the way his mind works!
August 15th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Aww, he is adorable
.
I had a very similar conversation with Cuddlebug a while back, he was worried no one would marry him because he wears a hat (not sure why that would be an issue?)… I tried to reassure him but not sure if I succeeded.
Interesting about the trade-off with new skills… I have noticed that with my older boys too.
August 15th, 2009 at 11:49 am
That is so sweet and totally adorable!!!! Sure did make me smile.
August 15th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
He does robot-dancing? *swoon*
August 15th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
What a love he is. And I wish I were as quick-thinking with the responses as you!
August 17th, 2009 at 11:44 am
aww, how amazing to imagine the worries they have. i am glad he could share his with you and how gently you allayed it.