Tuesday, March 29, 2011

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.

3 comments:

Leslie said...

Aw, happy birthday to Kate! Now we both have 21-year-old kids...but I won't tell if you don't! :-)

Barb said...

Ah...Klassic Kate! I've always said I want to be as wise and mature as Kate when I grow up. Still do. Happy 21st bday to this lovely young woman!

Lezlie said...

Wow. That's powerful. Thank you for sharing! (Dangit. I'm going to be thinking about that all day now and wondering where I have dead birds that need to be accepted.)

Happy Birth Day to both of you!