“Do you think I could use mittens for gloves?” Lady Kitty said, referring to gardening gloves. She’s a keen observer, watching me wearing them lately as I’ve been doing my autumn planting—creating an English border garden.
Lady Kitty then answered her own question. She said, affecting an unconscious British accent, “a bit too warm for late Summer, don’t you agree?” She laughed.
Then she continued with the British accent and followed it up with, “a huge bit too warm,” and laughed again.
A perfect day. Four and a half. A perfect age. I’m so glad I spent it with you.
“There’s more boys than girls in the Earth, right Mama?” Lady Kitty said as we were cuddling in bed.
“No, there’s actually more women than men. Why?”
She paused, then ventured, “Men are usually in charge, they are usually the leaders.”
Pause. The eternal question.
I take a breath, a bit heartbroken. How do I explain cultural patriarchy to my darling four and a half year old girl?
“Women are presidents and leaders of homes, families, countries, and companies.” I dodge her point and pivot with counter-evidence.
“The Vice President, Kamala Harris, is running for President right now.”
“What’s a president?” she asked.
“A president is a leader of a country, or a company or an organization. They preside over.”
Silence. I could hear her processing. I continued.
“I can tell you’re going to be a leader, Lady Kitty.”
“Oh.” I could hear her a bit shyly, yet proudly smiling.
“I’m talking and my eyes are closed,” she said.
“Me too. I’m talking with my eyes closed too,” I said.
“It’s called Pillow Talk,” I said smiling.
“Is there Pillow Laugh?” she asked.
“Yes, there’s Pillow Laugh.” I replied both of us laughing.
“And there is Pillow Kiss and Pillow Sleep,” I said.
“I’m Pillow Sleep,” she concluded.
“Good night, Pillow Sleep. I love you,” I said.
“I love you, too,” she said.
“I love you Lady Kitty,” I said again, cherishing her strength, her innocence, her stoic curiosity, and because it’s so precious to her say back. Sometimes out of the blue she says to me, perhaps in reply to a greeting, loving phrase or a gesture with “I love you, too.”
A Perfect Day . . . 