Peanut and I were collecting shells on the beach earlier this month on her self-proclaimed "
best day ever." As I picked up a shell I thought I'd attempt to get philosophical with my five year-old:
'"You know, Peanut. Every shell has a story to tell."
What I meant was, they've
been places and
done things... in the
past...
For instance, I found my story for this mussel shell quite hilarious:
 |
| "This one says," "Oh no! I've been eaten by a seagull!" |
Peanut, however, took my task literally. As in right
now, these shells ARE TELLING a story. Initially I found her spin on my little game mildly annoying. Then realized it was rather amusing. Finally, I felt it was absolutely refreshing. Here I was focusing on the past. She, with the eternal optimism of a child, was looking to their
future. Their hopes and dreams, Their goals. Some of it, their immediate future:
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| "This one wants to be a sticker." |
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| "This one doesn't want to be sandy." |
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| "This one wants to be a slide." |
 |
| "This one wants to be all white." |
Despite my love for her honest, pure, impromptu responses, (and due in part to the latent racism in that last one), I still quietly yearned for her to play the game
my way.
So I grabbed one more shell and asked, "And what's this one say, Peanut?"
 |
"That's a dead crab, daddy."
|
As I mentioned above, this was all part of Peanut's self-proclaimed "best day ever," which I described here.
Clearly dead crabs don't have aspirations.
ReplyDeleteNone. But in some cases, "dead crabs" are a good thing.;-)
DeleteYour daughter is absolutely adorable. I'd like to take my kids to the ocean some day.
ReplyDeleteShe in indeed... and a character. Thanks for noticing. ;-)
DeleteAnd you're always welcome at the Jersey Shore. It's nothing like what they show on tv.
What a sweet post! There is something about kids and oceans- something magical inside them just lights up in a way no other place can accomplish. We've taken my step-daughter on vacations all around- but her favorite days are the ones spent on the sand by the water.
ReplyDeleteOnly a child can get sand in undesirable places and think it's great. We go to the beach again in early August. Can't wait.
DeleteHe may have had dreams but now he's fill for lump crab cakes somewhere. Poor crab.
ReplyDeletePoor but delicious.
DeleteAwwww!
ReplyDeleteI just awarded you the "Sunshine Award" come check it out at deezydoesiteezy.blogspot.com/
XX XO,
Deezy
Nice! Before my son was born, I used to imagine having deep philosophical discussions with my child. I wanted to be that dad that my future grown-up son would refer to when being interviewed about his greatest inspiration: "My father and I used to walk the beach and he taught me so many things..." But my attempts at deep discussion inevitably look like yours with Peanut. Bottom line, though: you were a part of her "Best Day Ever" and no amount of wisdom will ever be more valuable than that.
ReplyDeleteVery true. Very wise, my friend. It's a day I will remember for a long time.
DeleteI love how as soon as you try to get into the game, she turns it on you and you're the one left holding the 'dead crab'!
ReplyDeleteYeah.. like I'M the one not playing right. Kids these days.
Delete