Even Big Kids Say the Darndest Things

/ jenidriscoll

woman-flat

My daughters are in their early twenties, so I rarely get a chance to share when they say something funny or do something cute. Like when Talee was about four, and we were eating cheeseburgers with sesame seed buns. She looked at me with a serious expression and asked, “Mommy? If we plant these seeds, will they grow a hamburger?”

This past Saturday I got a call from Mackenzie. “Mom, I got a flat tire! What do I do? I need to meet my friends for brunch in half an hour!” Mackenzie is twenty three, and moved out to the city almost two years ago. She’s really independent, but I have to remind myself she’s still learning how to live on her own.

She was safe, on the side of the busy road. I told her to call AAA (American Automobile Association), and gave her the card number (she left it in her bedroom, never dreaming she’d ever need it). They were there in forty five minutes, and put on the spare.

Mackenzie got home and texted my husband, thanking us for our help. Here’s part of the conversation (retold with her permission):

My husband: Later you can get me the name of your tire and the measurement so I can help you find one.

Mackenzie: Thanks Dad, you’re the best. I’ll look around for a ruler later today or go buy one tomorrow.

My husband: Sweetie, you do not need a ruler. On the side of the tire, it’ll say the size, something like 235/45/17. And the name of the tire brand. Hehe.

I laughed so hard when I read that, I almost cried. It actually makes total sense that she thought she needed a ruler. How else would you measure it? Lesson learned.

Yesterday my husband was out running errands and called me. “I think Mackenzie gave us bad luck.”

“What?” Oh no. You’ve got to be kidding. “You got a flat tire?”

“Yep. AAA is on their way.”

I better go find the ruler.

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Image courtesy of: http://www.prestmanservice.com/make-em-go-straight/fixing-pesky-flat-tire/

 

 

31 thoughts on “Even Big Kids Say the Darndest Things”

  2. Such a cute story! Especially because it all turned out ok in the end. For the first several years after I moved out on my own, I still called my parents for help with just about every new life hurdle I never navigated on my own before, like when the toilet in our NYC apartment was backed up and none of my roommates nor I knew how to use a plunger! For several days we would wait until we got into work to go to the bathroom until finally we were so desperate to pee that we had to just TRY something! With plunger in hand, I called my dad, who, of course, laughed. How do you instruct three 22-year-olds on the techniques of toilet plunging over the phone? There are many more stories like that, and they were all valuable experiences through which I learned and grew, finding my footing as an independent adult. Each mishap helped me gain confidence that I could handle the next thing to go awry. Ten years and three cities later, I think I’m doing ok, but I still call my parents for advice ever now and then. You will always be “mom” and “dad” to your daughters!

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    • Hi Lulu, your story is hilarious! Made me laugh 🙂 I can just see you and your friends trying to figure out the plunger. And so funny that you waited to use the bathroom until you got to work! What you said reminds me of my daughters so much, as they’re early 20s and muddling through, figuring out life. It’s a pleasure to be there to help, and to watch as they mature. Thanks Lulu!

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  5. I ❤ this. I miss those hilarious moments that you could share without embarrassing your child. My son is almost 20 and he still says things crack me up but out of respect for him, I don't share. But i do still crack up. 🙂

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