Super Heroes

[keithie]

When I put Kimball to bed at night he always tries to trick me into staying longer. There is usually a book (or part of one) and almost always at least one song. But then comes, Daddy, I have a question." Sometimes this is a question relevant to something we've been talking about. Sometimes its' about science; these are favorite. Sometimes there is a long enough pause that I can tell he's actually trying to think up a question. Sometimes I even call him out on the fact that it seems like he's just trying to trick me into staying longer.
"No, no, no. I've got one."

The second best thing about this is that there are times when it seems more like I'm tricking him into spending more time with me and also into learning something.

The best thing is that there's no telling what the topic is going to be. Some nights it even makes me cry.

Kimball: Daddy, are super heroes real?
Daddy: No, buddy, but super heroes are a way of telling stories about who we wish we could be and about helping other people.
Kimball: They are about real heroes helping people.
Daddy: Yeah, it's good to help people when they need it.
Kimball: You help people for real at your job.
Daddy: You mean when I'm working at the fire station?
Kimball: Yeah, you help people then.
Daddy: Sure, I do. That's one job I have. But do you remember what my favorite job is?
Kimball: Taking care of me?
Daddy: That's right. That's my favorite and most important job.
Kimball: Well, you're a super hero at that.
Daddy: ...