The Joke

I think every two-year-old believes it. Diaper changes, no matter now necessary, are the equivalency of water-boarding for toddlers.

"Foul!" they cry, writhing on the changing table. "Foul! This is only happening because you are bigger than me!"

To which I respond, "Foul doesn't even begin to describe this, kid."

Last week, Kieran and I were wrestling through one such diaper change. He was fussing and twisting on the changing table and, maybe most astounding of all, trying to deny reality.

"I not stinky! I not stinky!" he shouted, scowling at me.

I looked at him wryly. 

"Buddy, you are stinky! Look!" 

I held up the nasty diaper to make my case.

All of a sudden, his entire face burst into a smile.

"I just joking on you, Mama." he said with a grin.

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There was a time in my life when I didn't want to be a mom. I saw children as an inconvenience and a disruption. I wanted a life of adventure, a life of meaning. I didn't want to spend my days cleaning up after little people, wiping counters and wiping noses. What a small life, I thought to myself.

What I didn't know then is that children add wonder and joy, and there is no bigger adventure than loving my kids and watching in awe as they become their own people.

Trust me, Kieran. The joke's on me.

I can't believe I almost missed this.

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