Whenever we do foot patrols around towns and I attract my usual entourage of Iraqi kids, the most common question they ask is whether or not I'm married and if I have a baby. Their method of inquiry transcends any possible language barrier - they point at my ring finger (or theirs) and say, "Madame? You, madame? Baby?" and then smile upwards at me with an irrational sense of hope and wonder in their eyes.
At first I thought maybe they had picked up a few other English words besides "Give me" and "MisTAR!" and were able to get a reaction out of many soldiers who in fact do have wives and children and are likely more than happy to show off pictures of their families back home. But this happens everywhere I go. Everywhere. And when people ask you the same question about yourself over and over and are so saddened and disappointed by your answer ("No." - "No baby??" - "No, no goddamn baby."), you begin to wonder if it's really you and not them that has the problem. I thought to myself, should I be married and have a few little Davids running around, soaking up knowledge to make the world a better place (or destroy it as my dad has always hoped for me)? I mean, a lot of people my age are already engaged or married or have kids, so did I miss a freaking memo somewhere?
Then it came to me - I shouldn't let the broken English of a group of Iraqi 8 year olds dictate how I live my life! Their entire world revolves around getting me to give them my pen! Problem solved. Peace of mind returned.
Also, it rained for about 27 seconds this morning. I was so confused.
12 comments:
You should just start answering in non sequiturs, or the names of shitty newspaper comics.
"Madame? Yes, madame? Baby?"
"Marmaduke."
"Madame?"
"Mark Trail."
"M...madame?"
(in a zombie voice)"Brains!"
Problem solved. That, or you could tell them that you're married to the sea and get a wistful, faraway look in your eyes.
Well, maybe it's just the norm over there for people to get married pretty young.. and maybe that's all they know how to ask about and they just want to talk to you. :) You know that there is no age that anyone SHOULD get married. Most people these days seem to think the longer you wait, the better. So many marriages fail now, so it's best to be sure. I got married at 18 and everyone thought I was crazy and it would never last. But here we are 19 years later happy as can be. I won't say it's been easy, but we made it. People also seem to think it's best to do all the things you want to do before having kids.. I was backwards on that one too. I wanted to have my kids young so I could do more for myself later on.. and also I wasn't sure what I wanted to do as a career at that time. Worked great for me. Now they pretty much take care of themselves (as long as I throw money at them on a regular basis) and I have plenty of time for myself. Well.. I spend it all working but whatever. I love what I do! Why am I still rambling?? I'll stop.
a FEW little Davids running around ???? Please... I'm not ready for that!! LOL
Perhaps your 27 seconds of rain had something to do with Fay that refuses to leave the great state of Florida!
:)
xoxox
Steve, that married to the sea bit gave me a much needed laugh for the day, probably because I can imagine exactly the way either you or I might say that to an Iraqi kid. I'm totally doing that next chance I get.
The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the blog post From the Front: 08/25/2008 News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.
If they have hopeful eyes, perhaps they want you to adopt them since you are sans baby. And if you aren't married, I'm sure they have a lovely sister at home to be introduced to.
At least this experience is preparing you for marriage.
Both will suck you soul dry.
And you get no sex in either.
Stay single....
j/k
Only 27 seconds of rain?
Lucky.
It rains all day, on and off over here in the Sunshine State.
No beach weather lately. Especially with good ol' Hurricane Gustav coming this way.
Anyways, yeah...too young to be reproducing. Kids are annoying =)
Michele, I'm not sure if I would use the word "lucky" to describe the weather here! It was around 130 today. Not exactly beach weather either. Well, maybe with the sand but without the water. :-)
I totally just realized that I was complaining about some rain in my last comment, while you are over there in...pretty much hell.
I'm a big dumby =(
You are amazing, and what you are doing is wonderful.
...still think kids are annoying tho =)
Ha, no worries. Thanks for the kind words. :-)
And yeah, I'll pass on the kids right now too!
Hey Dave.......Pop and I are back from a month long trip to visit old friends and family....Was a mixed bag to say the least......
BOY....did I miss hearing from you via this post.....This one on kids and marriage gave me a great chuckle.......I have to say with ALL honesty that if Pop and I had not gotten it "together" nearly 52 years ago there would be no Mom for you or no awe inspiring David for us!
I never regret one day of this life no matter how damn sucky it can get at times. Pop and I look around us and see what we have "produced".....AND you are ALWAYS our number one grandson!!!
You are always in our hearts and prayers......we love you SO much and talk about you all the time......to the chagrin of many of our friends......We could not be any prouder.....just keep your head down and take good care of yourself......We can't wait to hug you once more......XOXOXOXOX
As always......Mushy Grammie
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