Out of the Mouths of Babes

Hannah (10) and Sammy (9) and I (no comment) were driving home from church discussing a very important day this week: Mark’s (36, uh, 37!) birthday.

To celebrate Mark’s birthday Tuesday, I explained, the kids and I would be making cupcakes and taking them down to cheer for Mark and the Baylor Alumni Softball Team during their game Tuesday night. We’d make enough cupcakes, I explained to Sam and Hannah, for everybody on the team to have one and celebrate after the game.

I heard a small voice from the backseat ask: “Mom, but what if Dad’s team loses? You know they lose a lot. What if they lose on Dad’s birthday and then they are so sad they can’t eat cupcakes?”

Good question, I answered. I then went on to repeat one of the first phrases they teach you in Parentese: “I think they’ll be able to celebrate no matter what happens in the game, Sam. Remember, it doesn’t really matter if you win or lose. What’s really important is how you play the game!”

After a moment of silence I heard this: “Yeah, but there are only grown-ups on Dad’s team, and grown-ups don’t know about that.”

Tell me about it, Sammy.