No, not the mother of many who resided in overgrown footwear….but the rather the one who ingested a winged insect(:

Today, while waiting for my car to be serviced, I was delighted to have spent time in the company of a vivacious and precocious 3 1/2 year old named Kaisha. She was there with her daddy who was waiting to have his car to receive maintenance as well. When the pair walked in, she plunked down on the chair right next me; all curly haired, multi-layered, colorfully outfitted cutosity. Her own footwear were sparkly sequined black boots, over tights and a  black net tutu with pink and black designs on the top, a tiny black hoodie and a pink barrette pulling one strand of hair back from her adorable little face. I bet you can see her right in front of you. She carried a glow in the dark pink hoop that we took turns spinning, peaking through and she put on her head like a crown.

Then she spied the book on the table next to me and asked me to read it to her; not once, not twice, but three times! How could I refuse such a charmer? And so, I sang the words “There was an old lady who swallowed a fly” …..spider, dog bird, cat, goat, cow and horse and finally succumbed and made her transition to her next life. I always wondered about the reaction of children who are read that story. I thought it was pretty weird when I was a kid.  Is it a cautionary tale not to put things in their mouths that don’t belong there? Is it an endorsement for vegetarianism since it doesn’t warn against swallowing carrots, spinach or grapes?

When they left, the father thanked me for keeping her entertained and then one of the men who worked at the shop, smiled and said that he wished that his daughter had a grandmother like me, since both his mother and his wife’s mother have since died. I felt moved  and honored. I have had plenty of practice lately with another 3 year old charmer; my son’s girlfriend’s little one named Collin. I will have to see if he would like that story. He would probably get the giggles from it.

http://youtu.be/qC_xO2aN_IA  I Know An Old Lady- Judy Collins