Kids' Quotables: Postscript

Kids' Quotables: Postscript

My husband and I have 5 grandchildren who range in age from 10 months to 13 years. We live in suburban New Jersey and our three oldest grandchildren live a little further out in rural N.J. (Yes, there is such a thing--our state is not all a maze of truck-laden highways. In fact, our N.J. grandchildren are growing up in a colonial village town, with lots of open land and the sounds of nearby farm animals, including a garrulous rooster.)

The two youngest grandsons (ages 3 and three quarters and 10 months), live in a nearby state. It takes between 2 and 3 hours for us to drive or train there for visits. I know, we’re lucky that they live that close and in the same time zone, but the distance is just enough to be too far for a quick drop-by to satisfy “Grandma’s craving.” When several weeks go by and everyone’s schedule, or their well-kid illnesses, prevent us from getting together, I unashamedly report my building feelings of withdrawal. “I need a grandsons’ fix!” is my plea to their parents. During a delay like the one we’re experiencing right now, my son and daughter-in-law often placate me with a story of their 3 year old’s engaging imagination. Today’s story was good for a belly laugh and it’s helping to tide me over.

C is getting close to being four, so I know there is precious little time left to be enjoying his blend of curiosity, sprouting vocabulary, and sheer wonder. In just a few years he will be all rational and logical, weighing his impressions carefully for factual accuracy. Fortunately, his younger brother can take over in the “wonder department,” so that is consoling. Anyway, here is the little story I want to share with you:

C and his mom visited a family whose native language is Spanish. When he heard the unfamiliar talk, he asked his mom about it. She explained that they come from another country where people speak a different language, an explanation that seemed to satisfy him. A few days later, in response to a question, C answered “YUP!” Asked why he had replaced “yes” with “yup,” he explained. “’Yup’ is a word from another language." When asked where he learned another language, his reply was, “New Jersey! It’s another country, where Grandma and Grandpa live.”

Time to dig out those passports and cross the border!

January 23, 2008