I Need A Tissue

I love never knowing what my child will come up with or even what she is thinking.

Several days ago, we got in the car and she picked up some papers that Grandmommy had given me. “What is this?” She asked.

“Well, those are papers that I will put in a safe deposit box.” I explained. “Basically, it tells me and Uncle T what to do when Grandmommy dies.”

There was a brief pause as she processed that. “So, does she know the date she is going to die?” She asked.

“Oh! No!” I responded. “She is just being responsible and preparing, just in case.”

I tried to think of the best way to explain it. “For example, if Grandmommy had some money that she had when she dies, she is telling us in her will who will get it and how much we get. Does that make sense?” I asked.

“Yes.” She responded. “I would think that she would give you and Uncle T money if she had it.”

“Well, probably.” I replied, not really sure how else to answer.

“But, when she gives you money, we need to put it in a safe.” She stated.

I briefly wondered where her thought process was headed.

“Yes. We can put it in a safe.” I agreed.

She turned in her seat to look at me. “We want to put it in a safe because when you paid me for chores, we wouldn’t want to use that money.” She stated.

I started to agree when she continued on with her sage advice.

“Then when we wanted to remember her, we could take the money out of the safe and look at it.” She finished as she turned to face back to the window.

“Huh. Well… yes, we could do that.” I hesitantly responded. Sometimes, it’s just better to reply in the affirmative and change the subject.

Saturday night, Kiera and I were on the way back from the grocery store.

“Mom, what age will I get my driver’s license?” She asked.

“Well, you will start learning when you are around 15. You will take a class and they will make sure you know the rules and how to drive correctly. Once you pass that, you will get a permit.” I explained.

“From there, you will turn 16 and get your license. Or, at least that’s the way it used to work. I’ll have to check when you get closer to that age and see.”

“Oh!” Kiera laughed and stated. “I thought I had to be 17.”

I laughed with her for a moment. Then she said, “That’s really not too far away.”

Sighing deeply, I glanced in the rearview mirror before changing lanes. “I know, baby. I know.”

I caught movement out of the corner of my eye and noticed that she had reached her hand out to me, palm up.

Tearing up slightly, I took her hand in mine and tucked her arm in under mine. It was a completely moving moment. And then…

“Umm… no.” She stated. “I was holding my hand out for a tissue.”

My misty eyes immediately dried up as I began to laugh. I reached in the side pocket of the car door and handed her a tissue.

“I was like, ummm… Mom, that’s great, but my nose is running over here.” She said while she laughed.

Just what every Mom enjoys… a heartfelt moment ruined by a runny nose. Oh this child!

Rowonna McNeely works as the Communications Manager for the Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce. She and her husband, Aaron are regular volunteers in the community, and have their hands full with their daughter, Kiera, along with three dogs and one cat.

Thank you for sharing in our weekly journeys. If you have missed any of our past stories, check out our blog page at www.lifea2k.net or drop us a line at lifea2k@yahoo.com.