One of the benefits of being a chauffeur for your children is that somehow the minute the car starts, you become invisible.

Conversations go on in the back seat that you would never have been privy to under other circumstances. I found it a useful way to learn more about what was going on in my children’s lives, especially when they were in middle school and the flow of information from them about the events of their lives, their joys, and their sorrows, slowed to a trickle and sometimes disappeared altogether.

But other times, overheard conversations from childhood can be pure joy.

I had the privilege recently of overhearing the following exchange between two of my grandchildren.

I was driving down a busy city street with Elijah (4 ½) and Aria (2 ½) in the back seat. Elijah kept asking me questions, and I asked him if he could talk to Aria instead because I needed to focus on my driving.

Aria had recently asserted her entrance into the strong-minded world of the two-year-old by running away whenever she could, especially outside. This obviously was a concern for her parents and her teachers.  Elijah, who even at his young age was showing a caring and compassionate heart and a desire to take care of his sisters, had obviously picked up on this.

So, Elijah began giving safety advice to his sister, in a serious voice, and Aria answered, just as seriously (obviously thrilled that she was being involved in this big-brother conversation as an equal).

Elijah: Aria, you shouldn’t run in the street. You could get really smashed by a car.

Aria: Yes.

Elijah: (as we are driving over train tracks) And it would be really bad if you lay down on the train tracks.  You shouldn’t stand on the train tracks.  You could get really hurt.  You could get all mashed by the train.

Aria: Yes, and band aid.

Elijah: And you shouldn’t get cut by a knife.  You could bleed.

(pause) If you get cut by a knife you’ll get a new robot arm.

Aria:  Yes.  Band aid.

Elijah: If you get a cut on your head, you’ll get a new robot head.

Aria:  And band aid.

At that point, Elijah giggled and she laughed with him.

Oh for a world where major losses can be fixed with robotic appendages, and everything else can be healed with a band aid!