#BedtimeMusings

In all earnestness, M goes, “Mommy have you noticed to become great or famous either your parents must be poor or dead. With normal parents not much greatness is possible.
Like you know so many scientists in this book (our bedtime read currently is Women in Science: 50 Pioneers who changed the world) or like even characters in books - like Harry Potter”

It took me a couple of minutes to stop laughing and formulate an answer around how many a times extreme circumstances/ experiences inspire you or give you the much needed drive to excel as against having everything already available to you. I don’t think she got much of what I was trying to say and she was sleepy too. Another day perhaps.

History Lessons!

Manya: Mom, let’s play pretend n play.
Me (with complete disinterest): Okay, what are we playing?
Manya: Just lie down on the bed peacefully, close you eyes and relax.
Me (with renewed enthusiasm): Oh sure. Then?
Manya: So you are Pearl Harbor and I am Japan.

Before I am able to process this information, she comes and crashes onto me with full force! And that hurt!

Me: What the hell Manya! What was that! It hurt. Why are you so violent! Why did you hit me so hard!
Manya: Because you wont buy and sell stuff from me.
Me (raging mad by this point): What the...!
Manya: Yep, that’s why Japan attacked Pearl Harbor.
Me (absolutely furious): I don’t care. You talk to me first and no hitting - not even in play.
Manya (very cheekily): It was a surprise attack Mom. Everybody was shocked - nobody was prepared.

(PS: She is reading a book on Pearl Harbor and is thoroughly fascinated)

Me: You wait. Ill show you how US retaliated. I am sure your book doesn’t talk about that.
Manya (sensing danger): But mom this Japan and Pearl Harbor will now talk and sort issues - lets kiss and makeup.
Me (slightly melted): Yes and lets not play war. War is not a game - it’s sad and destructive. War does no good and we should learn from the past and not repeat those mistakes.
Manya: Okay mom. Let’s play another game. You stop me from entering your shop because i am black - then i will protest, okay?

(PS: The other book she is reading is about the civil rights movement in the US.)

At this point, I am officially done with Spring Break.