Today, we were in the Boy Scout Council shop in OKC. We were there to pick up Anthony after his training for summer camp. The shop was dead quiet. Only 3 employees remained, since it was about 15 minutes until closing time. I grabbed Jacob's hand, and we walked along each of the aisles to check out the bargains and latest arrivals. I perused the uniforms, noting the prices of the things that I need. We picked out a few items to take home.
As I stood at the counter to pay for my items, Jacob tugged on my shirt and said, "Mom, I think I need that knife. It says "Cub Scouts" ".
I smiled and said, "No, you don't."
"Mom, you don't understand. I am a cub scout, and I need that knife to go with my uniform."
I stopped what I was doing, politely told the cashier, "Excuse me," then turned to Jacob, kneeled to his level and said, "Jacob, I understand you. I understand that you are a little boy, a scout and a cool guy. I also understand that you are too little to have a knife. And I am in charge, and you will accept what I say. If you don't understand that, then I don't know what to tell you."
He looked at the knife again, with his tiny hands pressed against the glass, and looked up at me as I was folding the bills into my wallet. I could see the color in his face change from his usual pale and freckled features to a flushed, deep red expression that I didn't recognize. But, just as I was running through the scenarios that would play out in this store, Jacob surprised me and said, "Mom, like I said, you just don't understand me. But I'll show you, someday, I'll get that knife. I don't know how, but I'll get it. I just don't know what to do with you sometimes." I think I have heard that before. :)
As I stood at the counter to pay for my items, Jacob tugged on my shirt and said, "Mom, I think I need that knife. It says "Cub Scouts" ".
I smiled and said, "No, you don't."
"Mom, you don't understand. I am a cub scout, and I need that knife to go with my uniform."
I stopped what I was doing, politely told the cashier, "Excuse me," then turned to Jacob, kneeled to his level and said, "Jacob, I understand you. I understand that you are a little boy, a scout and a cool guy. I also understand that you are too little to have a knife. And I am in charge, and you will accept what I say. If you don't understand that, then I don't know what to tell you."
He looked at the knife again, with his tiny hands pressed against the glass, and looked up at me as I was folding the bills into my wallet. I could see the color in his face change from his usual pale and freckled features to a flushed, deep red expression that I didn't recognize. But, just as I was running through the scenarios that would play out in this store, Jacob surprised me and said, "Mom, like I said, you just don't understand me. But I'll show you, someday, I'll get that knife. I don't know how, but I'll get it. I just don't know what to do with you sometimes." I think I have heard that before. :)