My Other BFFs
Some of you already know that kids and I are tight. In fact, it's gotten so that I'm actually surprised when some random kid I've never met DOESN'T run up and give me a high-five. I think kids don't view me as a threat because I both look and act like one of them. And I love it (being tight with kids, not being childish. The childish thing is probably something I should work on...). Daniel and I were discussing our summer plans, and my part of the conversation went something like this: "So, August 1 is going to be a busy day. G is getting baptized and I hope it's at a different time than Z's birthday party, because I really want to be there for him, plus his party is at Chuck E Cheese."
I should explain that in my faith (and G's faith) (Mormon), it is customary to be baptized when one reaches the age of eight. This is the case with G. Z is turning seven. Yes, my busy schedule revolves around celebrations for pre-pubescent boys. And I love it (not in a creepy way).
One of my best friends has two beautiful daughters and I'm tight with them, too. Because they know me in a religious context (again, Mormon) it is customary for them to call me by my last name, preceded by "Sister."
Once when I was babysitting them, the younger girl (we'll call her LaLa) said to me: "Sista Smith, if I'm really good, can I be naked?"
I SO didn't know what to say to that. I mean, who am I to deprive someone of that primal need to be naked? And she sounded so sincere.
But her sister interrupted. "Nuh-uh. My mom says she's not allowed to be naked!" I loved both her big-sister tone and the fact that this scenario had obviously occurred before.
Oh LaLa, my sista. I feel ya.
The other day, I was hanging out with one of my writer friends and her sons, two of my favorite boys. One of them was introducing me to his cousin: "Janie, this is Emily. Someday soon I'm going over to her house to watch Clone Wars." Which is 100% true. I have about a million episodes of Clone Wars on my DVR, ready for him.
Lately I've been feeling unfulfilled. Like, "Wow, what am I actually doing with my life? I've only published one book, and my next one doesn't come out for another year and a half. Maybe I need to get a real job." Only how can I? I would totally miss out on moments like these.
