Fifteen years ago, I was sweating in a big room with no power. Four Winds was an island, isolated by flooding to the south and construction to the north. The fact that any of our friends made it to our wedding that day is a miracle, though it still comes in second to Amy saying, “I do.”
One of the products of this marriage is a 7-year-old named Carter. Some friends are in town in anticipation of Amy’s 20th high school reunion this weekend. They have younger children, which delights our oldest. Henri, the baby son of our friend Aysin, is staying with us for the week, sharing space in the crowded back seat of our CRV. Carter has taken all of this in and enjoys the time he gets to spend with the new kids.
Being very obsessed about the mathematics involved, Carter was calculating his age at various points of adding a little brother or sister to the family. In a philosophical moment while in the bathroom, Carter offered this:
Carter: If Mommy has another baby, let’s say in the next year. Or even better, around Christmas. What age would I be?
Me: If Mommy has a baby at Christmas, I’m sure there would be a lot of math involved.
Carter: I would be almost 8 years older than that baby. (Thinking) And if the baby came on January 30, 2010, I would be 10 years older.
Me: That’s true.
Carter: I like being the oldest.More contemplation.
Carter: Being an older sibling is hard work.
Me: It sure is. There is a lot of responsibility that—
Carter: If Mommy marries Aysin, there would be more.
Me: If Mommy marries Aysin—?
Carter: I’d be sad, though. Because that would mean you would have to marry someone.Now anticipating a discussion about divorce and complicated holidays, I brace myself. However, I still have to clear that first hurdle.
Me: If Mommy marries Aysin—?
Carter: There would be a bunch.
Me: A bunch of what? Relatives?
Carter: Kids. Mommy and Aysin would have more kids and you and whoever you married would have more kids. But I would still be the oldest.
Me: You know, tomorrow is our 15th anniversary—
Carter: I know. I wouldn’t be the oldest if Aysin or whoever you marry has older kids.
Me: I don’t think Aysin—
Carter: I just don’t know how I’m going to coordinate that many kids.
Sigh. Maybe we can make a spreadsheet on the new iWork.