usadeepsouth.com
by SUSAN MOODY
Kids see things from a different point of view, don’t they? Sometimes when I get frustrated with my job, when I’ve had it up to my eyeballs with the childish things I hear at work, I’ll hang out at daycare for half an hour in the morning, or half an hour in the afternoon. Just that little bit of time helps me realize that what I hear at work isn’t childish at all--children say much funnier things.
For example, despite the fact that I send my children to a conservative, Southern Baptist (is that redundant?) day care, I found out yesterday that the K-4 teacher is really into the spirits.
Me: What’d y’all do at school this afternoon?
Brother: Mr. Gene played the pinot, and we sang songs.
They do manage, however, to teach them the lyrics to some wonderful, patriotic, God-fearing songs. Jessye shared some with me not too long ago.
Jessye (singing): God bless a miracle, Land that I love!
And Sister taught me a special version of the children’s Sunday School classic, "I Shall Not be Moved":
Sister (singing): On my way to heaven, I shall not be rude. On my way to heaven, I shall not be rude. Like a treat, planted by the water, I shall not be rude."
They are also learning about physical science, as Brother explained to me:
Brother: I have a body. Me: Yes, you do.
Brother: You have a body. Me: Yes.
Brother: Daddy has a BIG body. Me: Yes, that’s right.
Brother: I have a butt.
Me (hesitantly): Yes…
Brother: You have a butt. Me: Well—
Brother: Daddy has a BIG butt.
Me: Uhhhh…
Brother: I have a penis!
Me: Look! A grasshopper!
And that cleanliness is next to Godliness:
Jessye: What happened to your windshield?
Me: A rock hit it, and it knocked a little hole in it.
Jessye: I wish my mom were here.
Me: Why?
Jessye: ‘Cause if she had a baby wipe, she could get that off of there for you.
As well as the importance of good personal grooming: Gabrielle: Hey, Miss Susan! Your hair sure looks funny today!
And that curiosity might not kill the cat, but it can definitely give the mother a heart attack:
Sister (reciting): …Who was received by the Holy Spirit, Born of the Virgin Mary… Mama, what’s a virgin?
Me: Look! A grasshopper!
Sometimes when I think my work world is upside down, I just remember what Aiden pointed out to me the other day.
Me (looking at his racing shirt): Who drives the number 06 car?
Aiden (looking down at his shirt): That’s not the 06 car. That’s the 90 car.
They really do have a completely different perspective, don’t they? Now if I could just figure out how to capture that, I might uncover my inner youth. Too bad it won’t do a thing for my stretch marks or fine lines, but at least I’ll feel 20 years younger. And what would that make me? Nine? Yes, I think that’s right. Nine.
Um, yeah. Nine….Look, a grasshopper!
Susan Sims Moody is a native Mississippian, hailing from Southaven. She is a graduate of Southaven High School and Mississippi State University where she received a BA in communication. She is most highly influenced by other Mississippi writers such as Eudora Welty, Ellen Douglas and Willie Morris.
Want to read another of her stories here at USADEEPSOUTH? CLICK HERE!
And here are book links to her novels:
FLATLANDS
MERCY
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