Train up a child in the way he should go…

One of the blessings of smallish-city life is the little corner store down the street.  At a not-so-slight mark up, they have pretty much anything you can possibly need. They make awesome subs. They have yummy hand-dipped ice cream. They even have a little notebook where they’ll handwrite your tab and send you a bill at the end of the month. (I do not actually recommend this. It’s amazing how the little things add up when you’re not paying as you go, and equally amazing how many times small children try to sneak treats onto the tab.)

The little corner store down the street is especially convenient when one is pregnant with twins and subject to sudden food whims and cravings. And lucky for me, I have two children old enough to walk to the store on their own. The following conversation happens at my house far more often than I would like to admit.

ME: Michael!!!!
MICHAEL: Yes?
ME: I’m really hungry for something with chocolate and peanut butter… or something salty… or a Slim Jim.

At this point, my oldest looks simultaneously bemused and disgusted.

MICHAEL: Do you need me to go to the store?
ME: Well… yeah. Do you mind? If I give you money can you just pick something out? I don’t really know what I want.

At this point, he looks bemused, disgusted, and a little frightened. But he’s a brave boy and up to the challenge.

MICHAEL: Sure, Mom.

At this point, I burst into tears and gave him a huge hug.

ME: You’re going to be such a great husband someday! I love you so much.

And I love this child so much, because he didn’t flinch or squirm away or remind me that he’s convinced God has called him to a perpetual state of singlehood. Instead, he just hugs me back.

MICHAEL: Thanks, Mom. I love you too.

And here I sit, 20 minutes later, with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s Chubby Hubby, a bag of Utz’s dark chips, and a peanut butter Twix bar, but most of all, with a heart full of love and the knowledge that we’re raising a loving, gentle, kind boy who is growing into a great man.