Conversations with Kathleen

One of our favorite people recently passed the California bar exam, so Mama and the girls drove up to Oakland last week to see the swearing-in ceremony. (Sadly, Daddy had class, so he missed out on the fun.) While this was a bit of a trip down memory lane for Mama, it was all new to the girls. On the drive, Kathleen and I talked all about being a lawyer and about all the steps it takes to become a lawyer: a lot of going to school, taking a really big, hard test, and then getting sworn in. I told Kathleen that the swearing-in part is called "being admitted to the bar." Kathleen knew that we'd go to a big room, a number of people would talk, and then all the new lawyers would stand up, hold up their right hands, and make some important promises. And then we'd go out to lunch.

All set. Right?

We were walking into the auditorium, Madeline on my hip, Kathleen holding my hand, when Kathleen asked, "Mama? Where are the rings he has to reach for?"

We stopped, and I looked down at her perplexed little face.

"Rings?" I repeated. And then the light dawned. Kathleen had heard "bar." She immediately thought of the bars and the rings at the park. That's what she thought she'd see. I think the speakers were a bit of a letdown.

And although Kathleen might have been disappointed, our new lawyer was most decidedly relieved that the swearing-in was not to be held, as he put it, American Gladiator style!

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A morning of running errands had somehow run into the afternoon. Half an hour from home, it became obvious that we'd simply have to stop somewhere for lunch. Neither Mama nor the girls could make it much longer without food.

Slowly cruising through a shopping center, Kathleen and I discussed our options. (Madeline's pretty easy-going and a lot less verbal, so she's not currently consulted about these decisions. That's going to last for another couple months, tops.) We'd been leaning towards some Jamba Juice and a sandwich when Kathleen changed her mind. She spotted a brightly colored fast-food restaurant that we'd never tried before and asked to go. Feeling adventurous and very hungry, we were inside and had ordered in a flash.

I set the girls at a table with their food while I ran to fill our drinks. When I'd come back, no one had been able to keep from tasting their food. Still, I asked Kathleen if she'd pray for us.

"Dear God," she prayed, "Thank you for our lunch, but I don't like my cheeseburger. Amen."

I had to laugh. And once I'd taken a bite, I had to agree. It was a pretty awful cheeseburger. Thank goodness for the side orders of corn!

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Over the weekend we were blessed to have some family visit California from the East Coast. Mama's cousins Katherine and Diane, and her aunt (and godmother!) Ellen were staying with Nan and Grandpa, but they drove to our house Saturday for lunch.

After our meal, we were sitting and visiting in the living room, while Kathleen and Madeline ran in and out, showing off toys and talking to "Mama's friends." Eventually Kathleen began singing. We'd told our family about how much Kathleen likes to sing, and we'd mentioned some of the songs she normally likes to sing.

"Could you sing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star for us, Kathleen?" my aunt asked sweetly.

"No." replied Kathleen flatly, "It's not in my heart."