Overheard . . . Lately

Here are some random Addison quotes from the past week or so:

(To Colin) "Stop organizing! Stop analyzing!"

"Let's have Mommy make a cake. She's marvelous."

(On why he wasn't a fan of Bee Movie) "It's too sting-y."

"Can Jesus fly?"

A lot of people have been asking if Addison understands about Grandpa Jim. I really don't know. He accepts the basics pretty readily. He knows death is final . . . but not. He knows Grandpa is in heaven, even though his body was right there in the funeral home. He did ask if the funeral home was, in fact, heaven. He knows that Jesus is in heaven, but he wonders about the logistics of how one might be transported there, hence the flying question. He wonders when we will go there.

Ultimately, I don't know how much more any of us understand the concept than Addison does. If we really understood death, Hamlet would have been a much shorter play, and Addison's questions would be much easier to answer.

But I do know he's paying attention. When it was my turn to speak at the funeral, I talked about the fact that almost everyone who knew Jim called him . . . Jim. Not Mr. Howard or Sir . . . just Jim. Then I mentioned that his daughters did call him "Dad," his grandkids called him "Grandpa" or "Papa," and Colin called him "Aawhaaargh." Addison was present when I was talking, but I assumed he wasn't listening.

Then today he asked me, "Dad, what does Colin call Grandpa Jim?"

"Aawhaaargh," I replied. Addison busted out laughing. He listened. He actually listened. I told a joke, and he got it. I think he got it. He laughed, and he remembered. A lot of people told me I did a good job, and I appreciate that . . . but it's very possible they were just being polite. Public speaking and I don't always get along. But Addison remembered one line, and he asked me to repeat it over and over again, laughing every time. That was the most genuine compliment I could have asked for.

I don't know how much he understands . . . but that kid sure is a lot of fun.