when the kiddo was younger and her language skills were minimal, as in baby babble, raspberries, and mama/papa.  Language has opened up a whole new world - one in which she asks questions, expresses worry/concern, and struggles to grasp and verbalize new situations and experiences, some of which aren't so ideal.

 Funny stories have been birthed during this toddler/preschool developmental stage.  For example, some of you may recall our sex education lesson at C.A.L.M.  When we walked up to the tortoise exhibit, they were doin' the deed with an enthusiasm and vigor I'd never seen before.  Language allowed the kiddo to ask, "Mommy, what are they doing?"  Although I might have been stunned, shocked, and unprepared at the moment, the story is now funny to me.  And the kiddo came up with her own answer which pleased me beyond words: "The daddy's giving the mommy a piggyback ride." 

However, some situations aren't so funny.  They're difficult.  They're heart-wrenching.  They're the kind of things I wish my kiddo didn't have to experience.

Since the beginning of the year, my grandmother has been in and out of the hospital.  She's probably had 5 or 6 trips to the hospital over the last 6 years, but this year she seems to be declining.  In January she fell and broke her hip and arm.  She's been in the hospital for pneumonia, infections galore, and I can't remember what else at this point.  And the kiddo has seen much of this.  She was at the hospital when Granny started choking and turned blue.  She was at the hospital when Granny's heart gave us a scare.  She's seen Granny cry out of frustration and depression.  She's heard Granny scream and yell as nurses and aides moved her, poked her, etc.  I feel like the shelter veil has been lifted from the kiddo's eyes.  She's had a crash course in life.

The kiddo asks if she and Granny will be able to go get ice cream and then go shopping for toys.  I am truthful with her - I just don't know if Granny will be able to do that.  I see the disappointment in her eyes.  "But I want her to, Mom," the kiddo says.  She asks if Granny will be going back to her home with her dogs and cat.  "No, honey, that's not Granny's home anymore.  And her dogs and kitty are gone.  They live with other people now."  The kiddo asks, "Why?  'Cause Granny's sick?"

So, we take it day by day.  We pray.  We believe in miracles, healing, heaven.  We contend for Granny.  And meanwhile, my 3 year old daughter uses the gift of language to process all  this as much as a 3 year old can, and my hubby and I try to help her live in this world with hope, faith, compassion, love and peace.

Life was so much simpler when she spoke baby talk.