yesterday, i was driving olivia to gymnastics, with charlie along for the ride, and they were discussing my birthday. for the first time that i know of, they asked questions about what a birthday is, exactly.
olivia: what is your birthday, gram?
me: you mean, when is my birthday?
charlie: no, gram. she means what is your birthday?
me: well.......my birthday......and everybody's birthday is a celebration of the day they were born.
olivia: but you're already born, gram.
me: yes. i'm already born. i was born a long time ago, but we still celebrate it.
charlie: how long ago were you born, gram?
olivia: a looooong time ago, charlie!
charlie: are you old, gram?
me: well........
charlie: i'm not old, gram. i'm a child.
olivia: and i'm a child, too.
charlie: yeah, and olivia and i already got born.
me: that's right. you are both children and you both already got born.
charlie: the babies already got born, too, gram. they were in mommy's stomach but she wanted them out of there so they got born.
olivia: mommy didn't want the babies out of her stomach, charlie!!
charlie: yes, she did!!
olivia: no, she didn't!! gram.........mommy didn't want the babies out of her stomach, did she?
me: well.....she wanted them in until it was time for them to be born. she wanted them to stay in until they were old enough to be born.
charlie: but the babies aren't old, gram!
me: no, the babies aren't old, but they used to be a little bit old. a little bit too old to still be in your mommy's tummy.
silence..........
silence..........
silence.........
olivia: gram?
me: yes, liv?
olivia: turn on the radio, please.
