Kids are very observant.

The caption on this photo was “Biggest Butt Ever!” That’s so rude to have taken this picture, but at least he didn’t say it out loud!

While we were living in an apartment, we didn’t know many of our neighbors, as I was one of the few stay-at-home moms around during the day.  We did come to recognize many faces, though, even though not personally acquainted.  One of these familiar faces belonged to a very heavy woman, whom my husband and three-year-old son found themselves standing behind in a grocery store check out line one fateful day.

In case you didn’t hear the insult, let me sing it to you.

It was nearly Christmas. I, like half my town, was standing in line at the post office holding several large packages. My children were standing with me. My mind was preoccupied wondering how much longer I could hold my boxes without dropping them and wishing there was a table nearby. So when my son said, “Mom, that woman has a big butt!” I didn’t really hear him. The woman ahead of me showed irritation, and I heard the man behind me chuckle. Nevertheless, without thinking, I asked my son to repeat what he had said, but to do it louder.

“That woman has a big butt!” he said again, this time with feeling. The woman threw a scowl over her shoulder, and the man behind me laughed even harder. Then my daughter suddenly felt musical.