Gibby speaks

I promise not to constantly talk about my kids, but sometimes Gibby really comes up with a corker. Phone rings at around 1:30. It's Gibby's school. Vice-principal says there's been "an incident." [Insert horror movie music here]

Apparently, Gibby, Boy A, and Boy B were on the playground. Boy A pulls Boy B's pants AND underwear down. In sum, an atomic pantsing. Boy B begins to cry. Gibby to Boy A: NOBODY NEEDS TO SEE THAT!!! Gibby begins to comfort Boy B. (I'm hopeful that Boy B has pulled pants up by now, but too afraid to inquire) Gibby to Boy B: Are you OK? Boy B to Gibby: Not really. Gibby immediately runs to get teacher's assistant (one of her acolytes).

Gibby, Boy A, and Boy B are sent to VP's office. Gibby is present as the reporter. She tells it all. VP has trouble getting through Q and A. Boy A sent home. Boy B goes home, too upset to continue. Gibby told to return to class. VP calls Gibby's parent in case Gibby mentions new sights at the playground.

Meanwhile, Gibby goes where she thinks class should be. Class not there. Gibby returns to class room. Class not there either. Gibby stomps to nurse's office (another one of her acolytes) and asks Nurse to figure out where Gibby's class is. Nurse calls and determines class is in the gym. Gibby returns to gym and continues on with her day as if nothing untoward has occurred.

I'm amazed at how independent and kind this kid is. She certainly did not get any of this from me. If I couldn't have found my Kindergarten class, there would have been weeping, wailing, and much gnashing of teeth (by me, of course). Not Gibby. She's going to figure this out, by golly.

Most amazing, though, is that Gibby has been given the gift of mercy. A gift I believe was omitted from under my tree. That night as Gibby told me the whole sordid tale, I told her that when I was 6, I probably would have laughed at poor Boy B because --- yikes! --- you don't expect to see THAT during your Kindergarten day. She looked at me with such sadness. You know the look. It's the one that says, "I have no idea what you're talking about, but it sounds awful." I praised her for her kindness and told her she had done the right thing. I was so proud of her. I know I didn't teach her that, so we thanked God together for this special gift she was given.

Then we settled in to watch some horrible kid show before bedtime. I was slightly teary and humbled at the realization that my daughter was more in tune with others' hearts than I could ever hope to be. Just then a Whataburger commercial came on. At the end, there's a big WHATABURGER logo that comes on and hangs there for a few seconds. Gibby say: Hey, does that say Chinese Barf-ay? I nearly choked I was laughing so hard. I told her: Well, first, that is Whataburger. And second, it's Chinese Buffet, not Barf-ay. But third, you're right -- buffets are barfy. I'll never be able to say "buffet" again.

So, my 6 year old daughter has taught me valuable lessons. Most importantly, always take the time to be kind. But, also, just say no to the buffet. I can easily follow the second. Now to work on the first.