Gridlock

My 2 1/2-year-old daughter and I were driving to her grandparent's house and got on to the freeway.

She said, "Mommy, there is too much traffic."

I responded, "There are a lot of cars, but not too much traffic."

"Mommy" she insisted, "You have to get away from the cars."

"Why?" I asked.

"Because... it's too much traffic. You have to get away from the cars. Traffic is bad."

Only in L.A.

A Simple Wish

With all the mind-numbing things that are happening in our country and world, like natural disasters, political uncertainty (or should I say, insanity?), a global economic crisis, fall of the housing market, rising costs and the continuation of homelessness and poverty in our own backyard... I take joy in the innocence and wisdom of children.

Last night, while leaving J's grandparent's house, she looked up and saw a star. Even the city lights could not diminish its glow. J said, "a star, a star. Make a wish." I told her that she saw the star so it is her wish to make.

"What is your wish?" I asked her.

She paused for a second, then said "ice cream."

"That's a great wish," I told her "I think we can make your wish come true tomorrow."

She smiled and said, "now your turn Mommy, do you wish for ice cream?"

"Yes," I told her, "I wish for you to have ice cream too."

A simple wish from a small child. A bigger more complicated wish from her mother.