It's a Big Day!

OK, it must be said:

How is it possible that my little girl is 21?

So here's my favorite Kate story -- and it even has a creativity lesson in it. I was driving Kate home from a visit with the grandparents. She was about four or five, sitting in the front seat of our van. (It was legal back then.)

Suddenly, a bird fell down on the street in front of us. Splat. Dead. Kaput.

I looked at Kate's little face. She looked at me. I knew I had to say something, so I did the best I could.

"I think the bird's OK," I said.

"Mom," Kate said, gently but firmly, "the bird is dead."

And that has become a Harness family classic. You'd be amazed at how often the correct response turns out to be, "Mom, the bird is dead."

The creativity lesson? Never underestimate your audience. And remember: You can fool all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time. But don't mess around with Kate.

P.S. You know what I think of when I look at a birthday cake like this? 1. It needs candles for a birthday wish and 2. Kate is my wish come true.