A Word about Grace and Wishes

Grace, my almost seven year old, is a character, to say the least. All my children, except my mild, mannered Timmy were characters with big personalities. I remember specifically Joey singing and talking to random people in the grocery store, waving at them across the aisle. Then there was Chris, who came out a leader from birth. I remember the time I was watching him at a recital and to say he was a little “bossy” would be an understatement. He demanded the “lebo” (yellow) baton from his teacher, told the kids what to do and if they were doing it wrong and while I was videotaping him, he yelled at me from the little stage to “Clap mommy! Clap!” Don’t believe me, I have it on video.

Not sure whose DNA Timmy has. He’s the kid that would be content to sit in a stroller for hours. Maybe God knew I needed a break from chasing my first two, or maybe God knew Grace was coming next. She, by far, takes the prize for the biggest character. My parents call her a “pip.” Even thought I have no idea what that means, I know she’s just that, a pip!

The things that come out of her mouth leave me stunned and sometimes I have to wonder if she’s getting most of this from television or her little, creative mind. Like tonight I was reading her Cinderella and got to the end about dreams come true. She informs me that it doesn’t work. The conversation went something like this.

Me: What doesn’t work

Grace: Wishes

Me: Why?

Grace: Because I wished on shooting stars and it doesn’t come true.

Me: What did you wish for?

Grace: That everyone in this family would do what I say, like they were robots and did everything I want.

Me trying not to laugh

Grace: I know grandma told me I should wish nice things so I did. I wished that …

Me: Maybe you should try praying instead of wishing

Grace: No, that wouldn’t work ’cause I’d pray to have a million dollars fall from the sky and it just doesn’t happen like that.

Me thinking to myself: You got that right!