davidflowers.org

OK, I guess it’s “Daddy Blog” time again. I have to tell this story.

Recently during the Lent season, our church was hosting some Wednesday night events that included a pot-luk meal with a short film. This was hosted in the Parish Hall. It seemed like every time we had attended church lately, Gabe was having some type of intestinal problem. So this particular night, we’re sitting at our table with other parishioners as the movie begins. It wasn’t long and Gabe was informing his mother that he needed to go potty. So, being the diligent mother she is, Jen took him to the potty.

They both appeared shortly afterwards in the alcove that leads to the bathrooms right off of the main part of the Parish Hall, and quickly made their way through the crowd back to our table. I could tell his stomach was still hurting, so I inquired. He hadn’t been able to go to potty. So the movie continued for a while longer when Gabe again informed his mother that he needed to go to potty once more. Again, Jen escorted him back through the tables and to the restrooms. The movie lasted a few more minutes and then the lights were turned back on. I then saw “The Gaber” emerge from the darkness of the restroom alcove with a huge grin on his face. I knew what was coming, and although I knew it was unavoidable, I tried. I began to wave my arms as if flagging off an approaching airplane headed for the wrong runway. Time slowed, and I’m pretty sure I was shaking my head and the word “no” was ringing out in that deep slow voice voice that usually accompanies a dream sequence in a B horror movie.

In that instant, my young son, looked dead at me and screamed at the top of his lungs: “Hey Daddy! I Poopted!” There was nothing left to do in the middle of the Parish Hall in the church that we had decided to join a mere 3 weeks earlier other than give “The Gaber” the two thumbs up sign and yell back “Awesome!”, which I did. The entire hall erupted in laughter, and that’s how the family avoided complete embarrassment in the matter.

There’s something we can all appreciate in this story; the raging innocence of youth, devoid of humility, embarrassment, or self consciousness. It must be a wonderful thing to experience.