Carter and Archie are outside in the rain, pretending to be castaways. Despite my recent spat of LOST/high school reunion nightmares, I decided to join them. I found them sitting on the carpet I was attempting to use to kill the damn Rose of Sharon that has invaded our yard. Carter had a rubbermaid container lid over her head, while Archie was complaining about his measly welcome mat sans cover. I offered to help.
Carter: I’m trying to tell him you’ll help because you’re a mom, and mom’s are smart. It’s part of being a mom. He doesn’t believe me though.
Archie: I don’t. (watches as I balance a sled in the branches of the Rose of Sharon, providing about one square foot of shelter from the rain) Hey. I do! Mamas are smart!
Carter: Yeah. All moms are smart. Not all dads though, because some are clowns and join the circus. Then they aren’t that smart. Our dad is both. We’re lucky.
Archie: I like having our dad.
Carter: Yeah. He’s smart and he’s silly. He’s both.
Then later:
Carter: Pretend you’re someone else. Then tell me what you do as a castaway. What do you see on an island? Are you alone here?
Me: Well, sometimes I hear this strange whispering sound, but I can’t ever see who is whispering.
Carter: Ohh. (wide eyes) That’s scary.
Me: And I think there’s a polar bear.
Carter: That’s just silly. There’s no polar bears on the tropical island. What do you do all day here?
Me: I move mulch. It’s my mission. It’s my purpose. Ever since being stranded on this island, I’ve felt like I have some kind of higher purpose, you know? Like the island is talking to me, and it’s talking about mulch. Somehow, by moving mulch, from point A to point B, I’m saving the world. How about you?
Carter: Huh. We have a destiny too. We have a destiny to stay alive. To not die.
Me: Really? Just stay alive?
Carter: It’s harder than you think.