Wednesday, April 3, 2013

My Italian Grandmother

It was sunny, a warm spring day that tempted with a promise of summer and tomato plants. Joseph and Elizabeth stood behind the fence watching me as I scooped a pile of soiled straw with my shovel, making a mental note for the upteenth time to invest in a wider model. Maybe a snow shovel.

"You're really beautiful, Mama," Joseph said in a solemn tone.

I bit back a smile knowing the picture I made in my worn gray yoga pants tucked into polka dot rain boots and topped by a shapeless purple tee. "Thank you, baby," I said as I shoveled another pile of dirty straw into the compost bin.

"It's not a compliment," he said matter-of-factly.

"It's not?"

"No. It's the truth."

"Oh."

"I just don't understand why you don't have a boyfriend," he fretted.

"Well, uh," I thought back to our conversation a few weeks ago and wondered what is bringing this on.

"You're beautiful and a good cook and you smell nice." He shook his head. "At the very least, you should have a husband."

At the very least. I stared at him, my little champion, and shrugged. "Why is it so important to you?"

"I just don't understand it," he sighed.

I really need to have a chat with him sometime soon and get to the bottom of the whole dating thing. In the meantime, I'll bask in the knowledge that I am, apparently, still beautiful to him. And probably start thinking about talking to him about other qualities to look for in a mate - though smelling nice does top my own personal list.

8 comments:

Brianna Soloski said...

What a sweet kid you have. He's got a good mama.

John said...

Oh, he's a sweetheart.



If it matters for anything, that triumvirate (smelling nice, cooking well, and being beautiful) make me swoon.

Cameron Garriepy said...

Aw, Joseph. What a ladykiller he'll be. In the best possible way.

Mad Woman said...

He's right, btw... about the beautiful part.
Is he promised to anyone? Though my almost 5 YO wouldn't know what to do with all that sweetness.

mandyland said...

He's a real sweetie. :)

mandyland said...

Apparently it's what little boys and men want, then. :)

mandyland said...

Some little girl has no idea how lucky she's going to be some day. I mean, him for a hubby and me for a MIL?? It's like hitting the lotto!

mandyland said...

I need to arrange his marriage before he gets hit by the not so sweet bits of love and life.