Written by Rowonna McNeely – Last Friday night we decided to not just cook out on the grill but to also have a fire going in the fire pit. It was a pretty cool night so it worked out well. As soon as we arrived home, Aaron headed out to the back porch to light the grill. Kiera put on her jammies, grabbed a blanket and followed him. She sat in one of the chairs outside while Aaron and I worked in the kitchen prepping the food.
By the time we started prepping it was dark outside. Now, before you panic, our kitchen goes out to our patio. We had the back door open and the kitchen window open as well so we could see and hear Kiera.
Kiera was a little creeped out for a few minutes sitting by the fire in the dark. She came in and grabbed a flashlight to shine around the yard where the firelight did not reach. Once she had her flashlight, baby doll and reassurance that we could see her and the dogs would never let anyone close to her, she began to enjoy herself.
Once the food was prepped, poppers cooking in the stove and meat on the grill, we settled around the fire pit to relax.
“Let’s tell spooky stories!” Kiera exclaimed with a gleam in her eye. She held her flashlight below her chin so a shadow was cast on her face, giving it an eerie look.
Laughing, we agreed. “I’ll start.” Kiera stated.
She began to tell her story, pausing repeatedly for a dramatic effect. As she began to get to the end of the story, she shouted, “Boo!” Aaron and I both jumped and laughed.
We took turns telling a spooky story, but not too spooky. We didn’t want Kiera to have nightmares.
During my story, Kiera stood up from her chair and climbed in Aaron’s lap. When I finished with the sudden loud ending to elicit jumps, she declared, “Ok. It’s my turn again.”
“This is the last one.” Aaron replied. “Our food is ready to eat.”
I handed the flashlight back over to her and she held it under her chin, once again casting her face in an eerie light.
Still sitting in her Daddy’s lap, she took a deep breath and said in a quiet and creepy voice, “It was a dark and stormy night…”
Aaron gasped loudly as he pretended to be scared. Kiera turned the flashlight off her face, looked at Aaron with a raised eyebrow and said sarcastically, “Ok… do you want to listen or are you going to keep gasping?”
I lost it. I didn’t even know the child knew the word ‘gasp’!
A few days ago, as I was getting her ready for bed, she piped up, “I can’t wait for Christmas!”
“Oh, ya?” I responded as I tucked her in. “What part can you not wait for?”
“I can’t wait to see Gram.” She replied sincerely.
I paused for a moment, looking straight into her eyes. Gram is her 89-year young great-grandmother and always has a family Christmas get-together. Everyone comes from far and wide for a couple of hours to visit.
She continued. “I can’t wait until Gram’s Christmas.”
Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, I asked, “What is your favorite part of Gram’s Christmas?”
Kiera sat up in her bed and said, “Well, I love that everyone comes to Gram’s Christmas to celebrate with her. Everyone is there. Sometimes, I worry that she gets lonely in her house.”
She laid back down as I swiftly blinked my eyes trying to hold back a tear. I leaned over and kissed my little girl and marveled at her wisdom. I’m honestly, continuously amazed at the words that come out of her mouth. Some days I have a seven-year old; other days I feel like I am speaking with a 40-year old.
It’s true. Kids do say the darndest things.
Rowonna McNeely
Graphic Designer - Mommy to Kiera
Rowonna McNeely works with her husband, Aaron, at Willie’s T’s in the Art Department, regularly volunteers in the community, and has her hands full with her daughter, Kiera, along with two dogs and one cat.
Rowonna is a graduate of May High School (Go Tigers!) and grew up on a dairy farm. She enjoys reading, creating, swimming, and planning events. She’s also a bit of a klutz.
