Light

I am challenged as a person every day by the fact that I am a parent. My patience stretched. My endurance dared. My knowledge tested. Out of the three that I fear the most is my knowledge. I will never know, nor pretend to know all the answers to your questions. I do promise and vow that together we will research and find the answer to what you seek. Although, there will be encounters that I am at a loss to explain much like this morning.

We were up at six this morning. Kaden you scuttle to the kitchen to check on the ‘guls’. Your job is to feed Gladys and Gertrude in the mornings and One and Two (the frogs) in the evening. You open up the back door to begin the daily task, but today in the dark morning something catches your eye. You close the door and point outside. From my level I thought you were pointing at the TV reflection in the slider. I explained this was the TV, but when I squatted down to see the world at your level you didn’t have this reflection. The only reflection was you.

You pointed out towards the yard and said, “Off”. You repeated this again and again. Finally it dawned on me. You wanted the neighbors to turn off their light! I asked you,” Turn the light off?” I hear you, “Uh-huh.” “Ite, off.” As we always praise a new word I share that I noticed you used a new word, “Good word, Kade!” I continue to try to explain that the light isn’t ours to turn off. You were growing very frustrated with me. You continue to request that the light be turned off. I continue to give you all sorts of reasons as to why the light is on. I realize I am trying to give reason to a 25 month old. It isn’t working.

As if the neighbor can hear our private conversation the light is turned off. Kaden is amused. He looks at me with a Cheshire cat smile, “Seeeeeee? Off.” The light was turned off. I shake my head and get off of my knees and say, “Yep, Kade it is off.” I have no way to have you understand it wasn’t by our will or command. It isn’t mine or ours. I dread the other requests you have that I cannot meet, do not understand or cannot answer to your satisfaction. I know there will be many moments that even I am ‘off’ and I hope together we can shed our own light.