Restraint

I spent a couple of days in Raleigh, visiting dear friends from college. Only a year older than me, but a world apart. I look at them, with their steady jobs, their advanced degrees, their church/synagogue leadership positions, their community involvement, their families, and wonder… They just seem so grown up. So together.

At the door, as I was saying my goodbyes, little 4-year-old Jack commanded me to “Wait!” He skittered into the kitchen, quickly returned, and presented me with a ziploc bag of 5 oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, made especially by him. I was touched. “Jack, thank you so much. These will be a perfect snack for my drive home.” He wrinkled his brow, then, with all seriousness, said, “Well. I think you should only eat one in the car. It really is best to save the rest for later.”

Great. Even a four year old has better sense than I do.