My daughter Julia came to live with me two years ago for school. It isn't easy for me to raise someone who is practically my nine-year-old clone, but that is exactly what I find I am doing with Julia.

Through our judo and soccer practices, reading, writing and arithmetic, Girl Scouts, and Japanese language classes, we occasionally have a conversation that connects us both in a sometimes deep and usually humorous way. Hopefully, you will be as entertained as we are.

Birthday Present

Julia was retrieved in the morning for Daddy’s birthday. It has been profusely hot, as most August mornings in St. Louis are (especially after a summer of drought). After a morning spent doing nothing, Julia makes a proposition…

Julia:  You know, Daddy, what’s with all of this sitting around? Wouldn’t you like to ride bikes to the park?

Daddy:  Let me understand this; you want to ride bikes with me, in this heat, to the park for my birthday?

Julia:  Yes. What do you think? Doesn’t it beat sitting around?

(pause)

Daddy:  Yes.