Ank you, Da-ye

This morning I had the most interesting conversation with Kari. On our way to dropping him off at school, he saw a truck with some guys sitting in the back. He wanted to know why they were sitting in the back of the truck. Not wanting to tell him I didn't know (fathers know everything), I said:

Me: "They are going to work."

Kari: "Why da-ye (daddy)?"

Me: Wondering how to get out of this trap I just laid for myself. "Well...just the way Mommy goes to work and Daddy goes to work, they are also going to work. But Kari goes to school" Feeling proud of my answer and believing that was the end of that morning's 'Why Interrogation', I smiled and sighed with relief.

And then...

Kari: "Why da-ye?"

Me: "Why what son?" I decided to inquire further. "Why do you go to school?"

Kari: "No." Now he starts using various forms of gestures which his mommy and I are mastering, "Why (pointed at me) work da-ye?" In other words, why do you work daddy?

Me: Stunned. And like Michael Jackson, Speechless. To buy time I said, "Good question son. Very good question." I look at the rearview mirror to check if he is still interested in the conversation and to my disappointment, his gaze is dead set on me. "Well son...Daddy works to get money to take care of Kari." Aha! Not bad. I felt proud of myself. However, nothing could have prepared me for my little's boy's response.

He said...

Wait for it...

Here goes...

Kari: "ank you da-ye." In other words, "Thank you daddy."

Me: I looked at my wife. She looks at me. We looked at Kari. We smiled. My hear rate increased. My ears not believing what it just heard. My mind wondering if he understands what he just said. Anyway, I responded, "You're welcome son."

Lesson: Never ever ever ever underestimate your kids' understanding, curiosity, or their ability to soften your heart.