on the way home from picking up parker from mrs. t’s preschool

me: oh look parker. there is a picture of wild animals on the back of that car.

parks: where, i can’t see. (he is sitting in the back seat strapped in and cannot see over the front seat)

me: oh i’m sorry bud. you can’t see it from back there. well it had giraffes and lions and monkeys and an elephant.

parks: oh, like zuri. (the baby elephant born last year at hoggle zoo)

me: yup. like zuri. but bigger!

parks: oh. like a grown up zuri.

me: yes

parks: when zuri grows up she , … pause … is zuri a she?

me: yes.

parks: oh. when zuri grows up she will be a mom, just like you.

me: (smiling) yes, she probably will be parksie, but, … i’m not a mom.

parks: ( hesitant and thoughtful) well, …………… long pause ……… you have gram!

me: yes parker i do.

and i have all of you kids too. i’m a grand aunt … just like one of those grand elephants.

parks: yeah!

(i guess as long as you take care of someone, you are a mom! thanks parker. i love you!)