Sometimes kids say the truest things. As did the four-year-old younger daughter of my nephew one night recently. This middle child possesses a cap of curls and eyes that can flip instantly from joy to mischief. She was plying her papa with questions at a family dinner when he suddenly turned the tables on her.
“Why do you ask so many questions?”
“Because I don’t know everything.”
Long pause.
You gotta feel for that father. What could he say in the face of total truth? How did someone with just 48 months life experience come up with that insight?
As an oldest daughter, I’d like to think this younger daughter has learned it by following her older sister. And in a certain sense, she has.
Her family is made up of outdoor enthusiasts. Her parents have been taking her along since she was snuggled up against her mother’s chest. Now she’s going solo.
Look, Ma, No Pedals
She got started as a three-year old on one of the new generation of training bikes with no extra set of wheels for balance. Little newbie riders get balance and confidence by sitting on the bike seat and moving forward by feet-on-the ground power. Ingenious.
Last year I had the fun of watching her on a trail overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
With her head safely helmeted, her feet were flying as she worked to shorten the gap between herself, her mountain-biker papa and her 8-year-old sister.
That’s what she was attempting to do a year later as she quizzed her papa. Catch up. He’s her leader on the bike trail. She trusts him. He knows what she wants to know.
I’ve been thinking about the life lessons being taught and learned in that family as I watch the barrage of inquiries generated on mainstream and cable news channels. This week they are flying fast and furious about the actions of our leaders. From the government to the church.
Anchors and analysts are often asking questions I would also like to have answers to. But I have to believe some of those being interrogated would love to turn and ask reporters, “Why do you ask so many questions?”
“Because I don’t know everything I want and need to know.”
I hope I’m able to find, before too long, a leader or leaders to follow. Who I can trust But presently all I see ahead is a big credibility gap between myself and those providing justifications, explanations.
#
To subscribe to onanoldestdaughtersmind blogs, go to http://oldestdaughter.com
