We were going through the drive-thru at McBarfy’s today in the usual way…
“Hurry up, they’re waiting….do you want nuggets or a burger?”
“I want a Whopper”
“That’s Burger King, my sweet offspring…nuggets or a burger?” (Through clenched teeth)
“Mom, I want Mountain Dew.”
“Not on your life dear….nuggets or a burger?”
“Can we have apple pies?”
“No, you can have nuggets or a burger.”
“How ‘bout a snack wrap?”
Me, to the teenage boy on the other end of the microphone: “Can you just throw enough food for 4 picky kids and a fed-up mom into a bag? Preferably something with chocolate?”
When we pulled up to the first window to pay, they identified us by asking, “Are you the one with all the kids in the background?”
Yep, that would be me!
We paid and moved to the second window and there was instant silence in the car. What greeted us was one very un-pretty 30 something dude. From the back, Malachi whispers, “Mom, that man’s scary,” while everyone else just stared and knew to hold in their comments.
The kids all knew better than to say something TOO rude, but I could see their wheels a-spinnin’. The man had a hooked nose like a beak, huge crooked front teeth, and a pointy chin that melted right into his neck. His hair was curly and his face was splotchy and red.
I grabbed my food with the biggest smile I could, hoping to detract from the gaping kids sitting all around me, and pulled out of the drive-thru.
“Mom, that man was really, really ugly.”
“Yeah guys, he didn’t look real great. But you know what, that’s the way God chose to put him together, and he can’t really do anything about it. There is some woman out there who is going to fall in love with him and think he is the perfect man for her.”
“Yeah,” piped in one of the kids, “He’ll probably have a family and everything.”
“He might already have one.” I said.
“And he might be a really good dad, and play with his kids and love them and stuff.”
“Yeah and they might think he’s the best dad ever and his wife probably thinks he’s really handsome.”
“And maybe he runs that whole McDonald’s and makes a ton of money.”
“And maybe he drives that cool red sports car that’s parked over there in the corner.”
“And maybe he coaches his kids soccer teams and drives them in that cool car so all the other kids think he’s cool too.”
My oldest son sat and listened silently to this whole dialogue and finally chimed in with this….
“None of that other stuff really matters, Mom. As long as he loves Jesus then he’s got everything he’ll ever need. He’s good to go!”
Sometimes the line blurs between parent and child.
“Hurry up, they’re waiting….do you want nuggets or a burger?”
“I want a Whopper”
“That’s Burger King, my sweet offspring…nuggets or a burger?” (Through clenched teeth)
“Mom, I want Mountain Dew.”
“Not on your life dear….nuggets or a burger?”
“Can we have apple pies?”
“No, you can have nuggets or a burger.”
“How ‘bout a snack wrap?”
Me, to the teenage boy on the other end of the microphone: “Can you just throw enough food for 4 picky kids and a fed-up mom into a bag? Preferably something with chocolate?”
When we pulled up to the first window to pay, they identified us by asking, “Are you the one with all the kids in the background?”
Yep, that would be me!
We paid and moved to the second window and there was instant silence in the car. What greeted us was one very un-pretty 30 something dude. From the back, Malachi whispers, “Mom, that man’s scary,” while everyone else just stared and knew to hold in their comments.
The kids all knew better than to say something TOO rude, but I could see their wheels a-spinnin’. The man had a hooked nose like a beak, huge crooked front teeth, and a pointy chin that melted right into his neck. His hair was curly and his face was splotchy and red.
I grabbed my food with the biggest smile I could, hoping to detract from the gaping kids sitting all around me, and pulled out of the drive-thru.
“Mom, that man was really, really ugly.”
“Yeah guys, he didn’t look real great. But you know what, that’s the way God chose to put him together, and he can’t really do anything about it. There is some woman out there who is going to fall in love with him and think he is the perfect man for her.”
“Yeah,” piped in one of the kids, “He’ll probably have a family and everything.”
“He might already have one.” I said.
“And he might be a really good dad, and play with his kids and love them and stuff.”
“Yeah and they might think he’s the best dad ever and his wife probably thinks he’s really handsome.”
“And maybe he runs that whole McDonald’s and makes a ton of money.”
“And maybe he drives that cool red sports car that’s parked over there in the corner.”
“And maybe he coaches his kids soccer teams and drives them in that cool car so all the other kids think he’s cool too.”
My oldest son sat and listened silently to this whole dialogue and finally chimed in with this….
“None of that other stuff really matters, Mom. As long as he loves Jesus then he’s got everything he’ll ever need. He’s good to go!”
Sometimes the line blurs between parent and child.
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12 comments:
Gayle, your a terrific writer. Your story maked me giggle, get steamy eyes, all warm and fuzzy inside...(Oh, that must be the Big Mac with cheese)! Truth be told, I'm so glad to be in the Bryant Bus with you and our little wonders.
Your man
Wow. That was great. Sometimes it is our kids who remind us of life's greatest truths!
What amazing wisdom! BTW...was it nuggets or a burger?
It was both Ang!
I do the same thing at drive thrus. It's good to know they are used to that kind of thing;p What great kids. It's so important that we help the kids see them like Jesus does. Way to go to your family!! How sweet of your husband on his blog too.
:>Michelle
@hsb SeekingJesusnTeachingKids
This had me laughing out loud. I felt like I was in your car with you. Those conversations with our kids are THE best ones.
My kids scolded me for saying how ugly poor Mr. Bean was today! Who is the parent around here anyway?
Chris is right... you are a terrific writer. It makes me want to squeeze your kids and squeeze you for having such great kids! :)
Very cool!!! :)
What great kids! Can we have a play date soon? Your kids are the kind of kids I want my kids hanging out with!
By the way, Hannah has gotten heavily into scrapbooking, and we found pictures of her and Allegra when Allegra came over for a sleep over, do you remember that? How little both of them were! I think that was something like 4 years ago!
I'm most moved that your husband left such a tender and wonderful comment on your blog! How's your love bank doing??
Serious about that play date, you know!
And I HATE McVomit's...........
Leanne
What a great comment from your son! He is a wise one!
That was awesome!
McBarfy's! I'd never heard that before. We like calling it Slackdonald's.
And kudos to you for remembering all those things your kids said. I need a tape recorder because they do say some weird stuff about people.
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