Disclaimer:
This post may contain content unsuitable for those not already versed in the facts.
Also, it may get lengthy.
You have been warned.
It all began when our daughter was exposed to gossip in about the 4th or 5th grade. Obviously she had asked about sex previously because at this particular time she asked, "Mom, what is sex? And I don't mean whether you are a boy or a girl." I am sure I used that lame answer when she asked the first time, trying hard to stave off over informing at such a tender age.
The only reference I had was World Book Encyclopedias, and so that is just what I turned to to teach her the facts of life.
I remember my mother teaching me. OMG. She took me in her bedroom (the scene of the crime) and told me all about how even the Blessed Mother had a period. Yes. She did.
So, I was spiritually unprepared to answer our daughter's inquiry. After the World Book lesson (and I don't remember what room we were in), I found the time to run by the one and only Christian book store in town for some ammunition for the next onslaught. And so I could teach our two sons.
I did so want to give more than just the cold facts. I wanted there to be a deeper meaning and understanding of the importance of their sexuality.
I do believe that God is in everything - even our sex lives.
So. I found the book.
"Let's Talk About Life".
It included God and explained that we are so special to him...and the facts of life.
Daughter read it. (Edit: Daughter has informed me that she thinks she didn't read it. I am sure she read it in part.)
When the time came I gave it to the first son and asked if he wanted to read it.
In my recollection he took the book but did not read it.
Therefore I read it to him. I wanted him to know that facts. From us.
(Edit: Son says I did not read it to him. I made him read it out loud to me. That is even funnier.)
Then came the third child. The second son.
And.
He did not want to read it.
And.
He refused to listen when I read it.
This went on for quite a while.
Until he was nearly grown.
And still I tried to read it to him.
But by this time it was a bit of a joke and he would pretend to scream and run any time I took out the book. This went on for many years. Into his adulthood.
Until one day he was married. And I don't remember the first time I hid the book amongst his possessions - I think maybe I stuck it in his suitcase when he was visiting. He didn't find it until he got home. Then he reciprocated and hid it at my house the next time he visited.
And this.
Has been going on for years.
He is married and has two children. And has moved multiple times.
He is better at hiding than I am. It takes me months and sometimes up to a year before I discover the book in my freezer or scarf drawer. I am in possession of the book. For now.
All of our children were home for Thanksgiving. Our third child was the first to leave. And so we took the opportunity to snap this photo. It gets funnier. Every. Time. I. Look. At. It.
The book will find it's way back to his house.
I don't know when.
I don't know where.
But it will.
Oh the fun!
We are talking about life.
Shalom.
