Tuesday, May 5, 2009

[Gulp]

The other day, while struggling to pedal the 2 miles back to our car with a vomiting 1 year old and a wailing 4 year old, who had just crashed her bike and was left with 3 bloody "owies," enjoying a leisurely bike ride with our 4under3 along a creek path, we came upon a man.
He appeared to be of a grandpappy's age, and seemed to be enjoying the afternoon on the creek with his fishing pole.

As we neared him, Luke showed much enthusiasm for the man and his fishing pole, and I smiled with delight. I love teachable moments. I imagined this would be a great one.

Luke, as he pedals a bit faster: "Mommy! Look! That man has a pishin' pole. He's, um, pishin' for pish."

Me, as we continued to pedal closer to the man: "You're right, buddy. How about you say hi?"

Luke, his eyes still fixated on the fishing pole: "Wow! Mommy, look! He's throwin' that string in 'da water. Wow!"

By this point, we're feet from the man who looks even more endearing up close.

Me to the presumable grandpappy: "Hello. A pretty nice day to be out fishing."

The man, who disregards my comment but is smiling at Julia and Luke on their bikes: "Cute kids. I raised a kid like that. For 8 years."

I smiled and nodded attentively.

He continues: Then she slapped a restraining order on me just because I drink. Haven't seen him in 4 years."

[Gulp]

17 comments:

Jenn said...

Not quite the teachable moment you were looking for but definitely a teachable moment. Sorry but I had to laugh.

Erin said...

OMG...LOL

~*Michelle*~ said...

*crickets chirping*

can you say "awkward moment"???


...and for some bizarre reason, my heart kinda sank for a moment reading this.

...like in a pity for the guy in some warped adult-daughter-of-an-former-alcoholic-who-has-been-on-the wagon-for-many-many-moons-but-lives-with-regret-for-every-drop-he-drank kinda way.

Lindsay said...

WOW, didn't see that coming!

Stephanie said...

Geez...talk about not holding anything back :)

Lisa H said...

Reading along, I kinda had the feeling that Luke was going to drive his bike right into the man...so I was shocked to see what actually happened! Yikes.

Elyse said...

Gulp is what I would say too. WoW...just WoW!
~Elyse~

amanda said...

huh. wow. and gulp. he and his kiddos need our prayers!

mrs boo radley said...

I heard the same crickets chirping that ~*Michelle*~ heard.

Lori said...

well, okay then. i assume you all kept pedaling along!

Esther said...

Wow. It takes all kinds to make the world, right?

Pam said...

Gulp is right!

Maybe, just maybe, the teachable moment here should go something along the lines of:

Do NOT talk to strangers (because ya never know what may roll out of their mouth!)

Kasey said...

lol.
gotta love a good bike ride.
xo

THE CHRISTENSEN CHRONICLE said...

Hey Tiff, Good luck with the raised bed gardening. Let me know how it goes. Tana

gina said...

Yeah, I don't think learning about restraining orders was quite the teachable moment you had in mine, huh?! lol. The things you attempt with your kidlets continues to amaze me!! Biking. wow!!

Ehlan said...

oh dear...

Kiza said...

wow. nice unexpected unload.