You Have To Laugh
L. P. Theriot, M.D., F.A.A.P.
The practice of pediatrics has made me appreciate the joy of observing the unique behaviors and antics of children in every day situations. It is particularly amusing to watch children interact candidly, when they are just being themselves.
One Sunday morning while at church with my wife and three sons, I noticed a handsome family sitting in front of us, just off to the right. The parents were sharply dressed, and they had a girl who was around 7 years old, another girl who was about 3, and a little boy who I would guess was around 15 months. All were neatly groomed and well behaved.
It was a sunny summer morning, early enough that the temperature was not yet uncomfortable. The readings were especially long that day, and some of the adults seemed a bit restless...shifting their weight, a few of them fanning themselves. I was curious to see how the family in front of us would fare.
Mom and dad had it down to a science. The older girl occupied herself by drawing quietly in a notebook. She sat perfectly still making a detailed "family portrait".
The sermon began and it looked as if it was going to be a long one. And it was! I thought for sure that the 15 month old was going to "lose it". Sure enough, he started to fuss and struggle in mom's arms. Just then, as if by reflex, mom reached into her diaper bag and produced a plastic baggy full of Goldfish crackers. I don't think she missed a word of the sermon, and like magic, the little boy leaned back in mom's lap. One by one, he savored each Goldfish and was soon fast asleep.
A good 10-15 minutes passed by, and the sermon still droned on. The fanning became more intense, and there was more movement in the church as people were trying to reposition themselves in the hard wooden pews.
My attention was now focused on the 3 year old. I was impressed with how well-behaved she was...almost stoic. She had brought some picture books with her, and had methodically gone through each one twice. She put them aside, gave a deep sigh, and just sat there. After a brief moment she reached down and picked up mom's purse.
I figured she would go through the contents of the purse as children often do...inspect the contents of the wallet, play with the make-up, look at the pictures in the wallet etc. Instead, she reached right for the calculator and put the purse back in its place. She then sat back in the pew and held the calculator in her out-stretched right arm, pointing it directly at the good priest. She then pressed it repeatedly with her thumb.
This finally caught mom's attention and she leaned over and quietly whispered, "What are you doing?" The little girl replied in a loud and exacerbated voice, "He has talked TOO MUCH! It is time for him to stop. I want to turn him off!"
A chuckle rose from the section of the congregation that was within ear shot of the "little T.V. surfer".
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