Happiness is a Word that Starts With "T"

As a family of five with three boys ages six, four and one you have to check your modesty at the door. Every day we are introduced to a new list of “potty words” that should be added to the latest edition of Webster’s Dictionary.

Our oldest boy must have realized that it is breast cancer awareness month when he agonized over what to bring for show and tell on Monday. The letter of the week was “T” and he wanted to take something cool, at least in the eyes of his kindergarten peers. We went through the obvious choices of Triceratops, T-Rex and Tiger. We even branched into the more non-conventional ideas of Toilet paper, Trash bag and Toothbrush, but none of these suggestions were met with the enthusiasm with which they were presented. 

All of a sudden, Jacob’s face lit up like the sky on a moon lit night. With enough emotion and drama to almost earn him an Oscar or at least a Tony, he said “I have a word on my brain, and it will not go away. I cannot stop thinking about it. I think it starts with “T”.” Both my husband were relieved to think that this never-ending parade of items starting with “T” could finally come to an end. Jacob gathered all his courage and proudly exclaimed “Titty!”!

Silence fell upon the room. As on queue, without a word spoken between us, both my husband and I had blank expressions, suppressing any hint of amusement. We ever so calmly said “that is not even a word, honey. Let us think of something else.” Jacob eventually settled on bringing a white tiger and a Transformer car to school.

As his mother, I certainly hope the word that would not leave his brain has been suppressed for at least another 10 – 15 years.