censored
May 18, 2011 § 1 Comment
My daughter has an unfortunate, entirely innocent habit of pointing with her middle finger. School-aged and social, it occurred to me I may need to inform the space between my daughter’s unconscious act and outside interpretation. Casually, I suggested she choose another finger for pointing explaining simply that her middle finger alone implies a bad word. Her surprise evident in big, blue eyes wide with wonder she asked in tones of awe, What word?
Aware of her raw curiosity and cautious not to fan the flame, I didn’t name the gesture. Instead, I said it was a word so unkind that even adults shouldn’t say it. She promptly buried her fingers in each ear and with a certainty that bespoke the reassurance of a safety net covering the fragile ground on which we stood she directed me offering, Say the bad word so that I won’t hear it.
I was momentarily befuddled by her logic, curiosity contrasting innocence in tones of authority wrapped in caution. I was called back to my daughter’s wonderment with a new question. Does Daddy know the word?
Without waiting for my response, she flew up the stairs. Breathless and eager she faced her father gesturing pointedly with her forbidden finger and asked, Do you know what this means?*
*We are still working on the answer.
scribblechic 
Oh, to be a fly on the wall!!