May The Force Be With You

It's finally getting colder in Austin. Yesterday Edan and I got out of the car and strolled through some random neighborhood, just to be outside in it. She kept complaining about the wind, but didn't want to go inside -- the gusts of chilly air still novel to to a child who probably just barely remembers the last time she felt cold outdoors. To me they're a comfort -- a reminder of being young, and being home.

Only rarely do I get to share such an iconic part of my childhood simply by zipping up her sweatshirt.

Later, back in the car, Edan suddenly announced -- with the shock and urgency that generally accompany such proclamations -- that "I have to go potty!" Usually the dramatics are just for effect, and her declaration can be translated as "Excuse me, father. I don't wish to be indiscreet, but when you have a moment, I could do with quick visit to the loo. Much obliged." However this time she started squirming in her car seat, and had the kind of worried look that suggested I might soon be scrubbing that car seat with disinfectant, so I went into alert mode.

"It'll be OK honey. I'm looking for a place to stop and potty. You'll make it."
"I can't!"
"You can do it!"
"I'm gonna pee in my panties!"
"Almost there...almost there....almost....there."

And Edan smiled, because she's heard that last quote before. It's what the Red Squadron X-Wing commander says over and over as he tries to shoot a torpedo into a 2-meter wide thermal exhaust post on the Death Star -- a hit that would start a chain reaction that could destroy the station!

Continued at ParentDish