Thursday, August 27, 2009

Chosen

Yesterday, Demon Baby was exceedingly good and VERY talkative. He wanted to help clean the house and he articulated every single thought that was in his very smart little head.

"Holy what the heck! What is in this living room?" he screamed as he cleaned up toys.

"Holy what the heck, it's the mess you made."

At the end of a long, exhausting day, I said, "You were so great today. Thanks for being such a helper. I'm really proud of you."

"I think all my meanness is gone."

"You're not mean," I said.

"Well . . . you know, my naughtiness. When I fight my brother and spit on the floor and stuff. I think that's all out of my bloodstream."

This I pondered. Where does this kid GET these concepts?

"I'm glad you are not fighting your brother anymore, and I am really glad about the spitting."

"I bet sometimes you want to trade me for a really, really good kid who doesn't spit."

"Nope."

He cocked his head at me. "Come on. What about a kid who doesn't bring worms in the house."

"Nope."

"All right, what about the time I peed in your closet."

"I could have done without that, but nope." I leaned over. "You are perfect. You are made precisely perfect just the way you are. I think it's a good thing your meanness has left your bloodstream, but I wouldn't have traded you for all the well-behaved kids in the world."

He looked pretty pleased with that answer. Then I kneeled down, eye to eye. "I know this is kind of a big concept, but I think before you were born, your soul CHOSE me, and I think I CHOSE you. And I think we're perfect for each other."

He nodded, eyes shiny. "So even if I spit, you won't trade me."

"Even if you spit."

And off he went.

I'll be honest, there are days when I would like five minutes of peace and quiet. But I do think he chose me. And I chose him. And holy what the heck, that's just the way God works.

16 comments:

Colleen said...

What a perfectly delightful story. I think that your 'chosen one' is going to remember this conversation forever. It sounds as though he will also remember his energetic antics ... think of the stories he will have to tell (write about?) some day. I'm so glad your souls found each other. You sound like a match made in heaven ...

Erica Orloff said...

Thanks, Colleen. I do think we somehow found each other. :-)
E

... said...

He peed in your CLOSET! Sooooo my kinda guy. :)

Glad you wouldn't trade him. He's one of a kind.

Nadine said...

You are the most awesome parent!! You give him so much confidence - I love it!!

And I loved that he helped clean up yesterday! And hopefully the spitting phase is over... :)

Erica Orloff said...

realm:
He went through a whole peeing stage where he thought it was hilarious to pee in weird places. I cannot BEGIN to tell you how gross it was. Happily, he is over that "stage."

:-)
E

Erica Orloff said...

Nadine:
If I give him a cleaning task, he generally likes to help. And I am EXTREMELY glad the spitting stage is (mostly) over.

E

... said...

It IS hilarious to pee in weird places. Disgusting, hilarious....and all for the price o' one!!! I'm sorry to laugh, but DemonAkira is my hero in so many disgustingly delightful ways. *puts on devil horns in honor of new lord*

KathArine said...

**sniff**

Suzanne said...

Actually my son went through a spitting stage but not the peeing one, thank goodness. It is so interesting to watch him grow up through your blogs. He really is changing and maturing.
You have such great conversations with him.

Robin said...

My kids are so concrete, after that conversation they would have gone off to spit somewhere, figuring they had permission. Lucky DB is so smart. He actually got it.

pita-woman said...

I saw this commercial over the weekend & right away it reminded me of Demon-Baby (despite the child-actor being blonde & wearing clothes). I don't know if you've ever seen this Haverty's ad...

http://www.havertys.com/View_CurrentAd

click on the first commercial.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

Could the demon be tamed?

Erica Orloff said...

Suzanne:
I am glad to know the spitting stage can be outgrown. ;-)
E

Erica Orloff said...

Robin:
I hadn't thought of that, but yeah. He seems to get some pretty philosophical concepts at times.
E

Erica Orloff said...

Pita-Woman:
I don't watch a ton of TV, so I had never seen it. That is so cute. And yes, similar to Demon Baby, but Demon Baby wrecks more things. That house is WAY too neat.

:-)
E

Erica Orloff said...

Melanie:
No. I had hopes that perhaps he was . . . but after this post, there was the day from Hell (as befits his name), so never fear . . .

LOL!

E