Out Of The Mouths Of Babes

I don't know what Kid2 and I were doing. Talking probably. I remember her saying, They're friends, they're all friends. And I know she likes telling me about her friends and what they do together. I asked, "Are your friends the most important thing in the world to you?"

She gave me a quizzical look. "No," she said emphatically. "The most important thing in the world is my family."

"Oh. Who's your family?"

"My mom, my dad, Kid1, you."

"Ah. My family is the most important thing in the world to me too."

"And nature. Nature is important."

"Ah. Yes. Nature is also very important."

"And hope. Hope is also important."

"Right."

"My family, nature, and hope. Those are the most important things in the world," she summarized.

"Those are very important ideas. Did someone teach them to you?"

"Nope. I just decided that now."

I had to marvel. That's a five-year-old talking. Aren't family, nature and hope truly the things that still keep us whole and are our raison d'etre?