Planes, Trains, and Night Lights

As I was scrubbing some pots and pans today, Julianna said (with awe in her voice), "Mama, a long time ago they didn't have dishwashers!"

Her observation prompted a long conversation about all of the modern conveniences we take for granted ... all those our ancestors lived without.

I answered her questions about airplanes, trains, microwaves, cars, refrigerators, televisions, magic markers, light bulbs, CD players, and even tee pees.

Then I asked Julianna to choose just ONE thing she absolutely, positively could not live without.

I thought she would say the computer, her mp3 player, or maybe even the toaster (because you can never underestimate the importance of Daddy's famous cinnamon sugar bread every morning).

But she didn't choose any of those things, and her answer surprised me.

She said: "I would choose my night light. Because I can't fall asleep without it."

The childlike simplicity of Julianna's answer caught me off guard and got me thinking about which one creature comfort I would choose above all others.

And I quickly narrowed it down ... to around 10 things (hey, YOU try choosing just one).

Two of the highest-ranking items on my top 10 list were indoor plumbing (no explanation needed) and a clothes dryer ... because I once went a week without one and my clothes felt like cardboard.

Why is it that my 6-year-old daughter is so much easier to please than I am? Why is a night light all she really needs to make her happy?

Is it that I'm getting old?
Julianna would say yes.

Maybe I'm just high-maintenance?
My parents would say yes.

Could it be I'm just plain spoiled?
My husband would take the fifth.

So how can I help Julianna and LJ avoid the same fate? How do I help my children stay relatively easy-to-please -- so much so that all they really need is a metaphorical night light?

Well, my hunch is that it may already be too late to save them.

As LJ and I were watching the NBA Slam Dunk contest on our DVR tonight (another thing that made my top 10 list of "must haves,"), he saw one of the basketball stars flash his expensive-looking cell phone at the TV camera.

LJ stood up, pointed at the screen and screamed: "So what! Who cares? Why would I be jealous of that? My Mom has an iPhone!"

Did I mention that made my list too?