I feel like it’s safe to say there are two kinds of people in this world: those who would never, ever, EVER laugh at people who experience developmental delay — you know, the conscientious, compassionate, kind type of person — and Terrible People like me.
It’s just that my two kiddos with disability have been entrenched in an argument that’s lasted days. They’ve yelled at each other. They’ve called each other names in ragey voices. They’ve rolled their eyes. They’ve tried to bait the rest of us into taking sides. And still it’s not settled why we’re celebrating Independence Day on July 4th.
Aden insists we’re celebrating independence from the Christians. Ian says we’re celebrating independence from the Nazis.
For a while, they were blaming the Jews, but they believed me when I said that wasn’t it. Whew! On the other hand, my contention that we’re celebrating independence from the British was met with unified derision. It was ridiculous when I suggested we’d need to be independent from the Land of Crumpets and Tea. I mean, what could we possibly be fighting against the British for? Their use of “chips” instead of “fries?” Their corner on the digestives market? No. Mom clearly doesn’t know what she’s talking about. At least they agree on something.
Ian: It is the Nazis, Aden.
Aden: IT’S THE CHRISTIANS.
Ian: Nazis.
Aden: CHRISTIANS.
Ian: Evwebody knows Nazis are bad guys, Aden. Evwebody.
Aden: It’s the CHRISTIANS. … Wait. Mom, are we the Christians?
Me: I am, Aden. You get to pick.
Aden: Oh. KILL THE NAZIS then. KILL THEM DEAD. KILL, KILL, KILL.
Ian: Ha! I told you! It’s NAZIS. HAhahahaha! I am wight and you wong! Ha, Aden. HA!
Aden: Wait. No. KILL THE CHRISTIANS. Except Mom. KILL ALL THE CHRISTIANS EXCEPT MOM. Unless I’m a Christian. Then we KILL ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE.
In conclusion, even though I keep laughing at them, I feel like my kids have a general bloodthirsty grasp on this whole Independence Day thing and also theological schisms in general… Christians who flee religious persecution from Other Christians and arrive in a new land to persecute and massacre others.
I feel like we’re really slow learners, guys.
Also, I made blueberry cake to celebrate. And I’m going to go have a beer.
Wishing you a Happy Independence Day, fellow Americans!
With love,
2 responses to “Happy Independence… From the Christians”
Isn’t it sweet how she made sure you would be safe from the brutal massacre! 🙂
Thought it was bad that my son was having a one sided argument with me about a flippered dinosaur not being a plesiosaur. He declared them to be apatosauruses and it went on and on and on for 30 minutes, entirely one sided until I wanted to bring a plesiosaur back from extinction just so the rant could end. I tried closing his bedroom door at one point but I was declared wrong and mean and an apatosaurus to boot. But I think you have me beat.