Through the eyes of a 3 year old...

My sister sent me the cutest email detailing a conversation she had with my nephew, Alex (age 3), last evening. (Note: in Kylie's email she uses "me" to describe what she said. That was too confusing for the blog so I changed it say, "Kylie." She doesn't actually refer to herself in third person because that would be quite odd. I felt that was worth clarifying, though.)

This sweet kid doesn't like "tomatoes" because they hurt people

Last night we were sitting and watching TV when the tornado coverage started. Alex started asking questions and the conversation went like this:

Alex: Mommy, why are there so many people there? What happened to that building?
Kylie: Because there was a tornado and a lot of people got hurt. They are looking for kids in the school so they can take them to the doctor.
Alex: Oh. What is a tomato?
Kylie: A TORNADO is when a bad storm makes a swirly that touched the ground and sometimes it breaks buildings and hurts people.
Alex: Well, where did that tomato go after it was done breaking buildings?
Kylie: It went back up into the sky.
Alex: Is it hurting the clouds?
Kylie: No it does not hurt the clouds.
Alex: OK. I don’t like tomatoes –they are mean and scary and break things and hurt kids.
Kylie: Yes they are scary but it’s OK now it went back up in the sky. Do you want to say a prayer for the kids in the school?
Alex: yes! (he folds his little hands and says) Dear God. Thanks you for this food. Let us eat. Amen.
Kylie: (he looks up at me and smiles –so proud that I can’t help but laugh) Honey, that was a beautiful prayer but let’s try another one. Repeat after me, OK?
Alex: OK
Kylie: Dear God
Alex: Dear God
Kylie: Please be with the kids in the school and take care of them
Alex: please watch those kids and take care of them
Kylie: please be with their mommies and daddies
Alex: please be mommies and daddies
Kylie: Please keep everyone safe looking for them
Alex: please keep people safe
Kylie: Amen
Alex: Amen. And no more tomatoes, please, I don’t like those things.

Kylie's note: Ahhh, the innocence and sweetness of a 3 year old is priceless. I just hugged him and cried. I cried because I am a proud mommy, I cried for the victims of the tornado, I cried for their parents and I cried because I am so blessed to have my wonderful son. Alex then asked me,"Why you crying silly mommy?!"

(Editor's note: I think the term "swirly" accurately described a tornado. I have no idea how I'd explain one to a kid.)