The Very First Goat

Just when I think I know something, my son Henry asks me a question and I find myself fumbling for an answer. This morning's question made me smile because of its depth and also its innocence.

"Mommy, what was the very first animal?"

Well, since I'm not sure what the first animal was, I'm silent for a minute.

"I mean, when I look at a goat, I know another goat gave birth to it, and another one gave birth to that one, and another one gave birth to THAT one. But what was the very first animal? How was it made?"

I tell him that all life started as cells, and some cells got together and made a lump of cells, and from that they made another lump, and eventually that lump was more like a creature, and its pretty likely this creature lived in the water.

"But what was the very first animal?"

Then I try to explain how a lump of cells changes into a fish or a turtle or a mosquito, but since we're on the phone for this conversation and I'm at work, I cannot get too deeply into evolution. 

Soon, Henry has lost interest and I'm back to work, but his question stays with me. He's a quick one. He's been asking all sorts of intriguing (and impossible!) questions lately. He asks about spirituality, and we talk about things he's heard at school. My favorite was at around this time last year,  when he still rode the school bus. Over dinner, Henry informed me that angels had visited the German Shepherds in a field. Then he wanted to act out the story. I got to be the German Shepherd. You know, the dog. That was priceless.

I love that my son is curious, and I hope I'm able to foster his curiosity, to encourage his questions for a lifetime. After all, I'm 37 years old and I have questions every day. Mostly, I hope he is always seeking. There are too many people on this earth who think they have all the answers, and they have stopped seeking, stopped questioning. They send me email filled with messages that offend me and are wholly untrue. They shout at the top of their lungs about their version of the facts, dismissing the possibility that there may be another side to the issue.

They make my head hurt.

So I'm delighted when Henry asks me questions, and when he questions what he's heard. We could all use a little more questioning, a little less certainty, if you get my meaning. We could use a little more wondering about the very first goat. 

Tis the Season

I know, I know. 

It's only mid-October. But I cannot help it. I'm a sucker for the holiday season. From the beginning of October, I've got a little sparkle in my eye as I decorate for "Fall-oween," with pumpkins and pretty leaves and scented candles. I play Christmas music in November, a tradition my spouse has come to, ahem, tolerate. I start Christmas shopping this month, and I start asking my sisters what their kids might like from Santa. And, I'm sure, my sisters roll their eyes at my questions, because sane people don't start shopping—or even talking about shopping—this early. 

But I'm not deterred. I love every minute of it, and those minutes fly by so quickly! Before I know it, its late December and I'm in mourning for the anticipation, which is what its all about for me. I love making lists, making plans, making (and eating!) pies, and making myself nuts when my plans outgrow my pocketbook. 

What I wish for most this year is that All Our Siblings (and we have more than ten...) would join us in giving to a worthy cause instead of giving each other presents. With so many families in need this year—families that until this year never set foot in a food shelf—we'll be donating cash and food to our local Second Harvest. Last year, my sister joined us in our effort to help others. We sent fun stuff for the kidlets, and gave our time and energies to local and global charities. I know I'm guilty of forcing my opinion on others, and at this time of year I'm no different. I want everyone to make the same choices that I do. I'm bossy that way. But I also know in my heart of hearts that this season is about each of us reaching out in our own way. Maybe one of these days I'll actually behave like a grown-up. 

Another of my favorite holiday activities is reading stories about this time of year. I love to read history, to learn how people celebrated in years past. I also love to find little gems, examples of how other families have lived through this time of year. I recently read a story that made me sob. While we are young, this season is all about that new sled, new X-Box, new game, and new toys. As we grow older, we realize that this time of the year is really about our hearts. 

And lots and lots of pie. 

And, Palin Is Funny

This made me laugh out loud, at work, which is a good and rare thing. Enjoy.

Palin Is Dangerous

Sarah Palin has been scaring me ever since she accepted the invitation to be John McCain's running mate. Her deer-in-headlights look and hot temper indicate to me that she is a woman who knows she's in over her head but her ego refuses to allow her to step aside for one more qualified. Up to now, I've trusted that she would dig her own grave with thinking people, but today's news is so desperately alarming, I must write about it here. Every person in the world needs to know this before they go to the polls. 

From today's New York Times (which cited a recent Washington Post story): At a recent rally in Florida, Sarah Palin was speaking to a crowd of supporters when someone in the crowd yelled "Kill him!" as Palin mentioned Obama in her speech. Others shouted epithets at an African-American member of a TV news crew. Palin did nothing to stop the hateful shouts. She never stopped her speech to admonish those spouting hate. So, by not doing anything, she endorsed what they were saying and doing. 

If she professes to love Americans, does that include only white Americans? We already know how she feels about our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. Was she secretly in agreement with what those racists were spewing, and that's why she didn't respond? That's what I take away from this item. I urge you to share this with your friends and family members that may be voting for McCain and Palin. This woman is dangerous. As a woman who has struggled to find the right words (i.e., answers to direct questions) at the right time, her actions are doing the talking for her now.