Date night with Eliot

While Anselm is at judo, if one of us is out of town, Eliot and a parent go out for date night. Eliot's location of choice is Stumptown Coffee, on 12th Ave. She loves the sophisticated vibe, minimal decor, and the low-lying stools and tiny tables. It is her favorite time of the week and she is delightful company, from the chirping in the back seat as she directs the driving and locates a parking spot, to the skipping along the street in joy, to the continuous stream of conversation as she perches on her stool, legs crossed, enjoying her steamed milk and sharing a cake.

Tonight, however, she decided to go for bubble tea and head home. The conversation was more serious. First she wanted to hear the story of Jesus. I then sang her "Long time ago in Bethlehem" (partly to make sure I was getting the facts right).  "Man will live forevermore" stopped her up. 

"Man WILL live forever, right Mum?"

"Well.. do you mean as individuals or as a species?"

"As a species."

"I guess not-- the dinosaurs died out eventually."

"I want man to live forever."

Pause.

"I don't want to die. Is is painful to die?"

"I don't know-- noone can say what that moment feels like."

"I want you to live for a long, long time. And Dad. And Anselm to live for an even longer time."