King's Daughter's Kitchen

Children watch the world and learn quickly, but they don’t learn how to speak clearly and properly until they are grown. Some grownups aren’t well-spoken either, but that’s a whole other story. When my son was three, he used his best words to ask for a “headertopter an a adderdader” for Christmas. We recorded the conversation on tape for posterity. He received the toys with great joy and hugs all around.

I watched as he imagined flying the plane, rescuing people, putting out fires, bringing missionary food, and helping the Army defend the backyard.

The adderdader was the king of the swamp. He decided what my son ate, which hot wheels were opened and which were saved, when to get out of the tub, and which stories he heard at night (usually Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak or Just Go to Bed by Mercer Mayer).

By the next Christmas, my son’s speech was clearer, but a long way from perfect. A truck with lights replaced the headertopter. Teddy Ruxpin, a storytelling bear, replaced the adderdader.

My son is grown now. He preaches on Sundays, works hard all week, and is well-spoken. He has four sons. His third son speaks exactly as he did when he was little. His fourth son has a very quiet, whispery voice and hasn’t quite grown into or discovered his own power in the group yet.

When I watch all four boys play and imagine, I listen quietly to what they say to the toys and to each other. I wonder what they will become and where their words and imaginations will take them. My time with them and the hope they bring me for the future, they bring me tears of joy.