The promise I made my daughter do

Written and shared on FB on 15th August 2014.

My daughter and I were goofing around in the bed in the morning, tickling each other crazy and arm wrestling when she stopped dead serious and looked at me deep and said, 'You better not die. I will tell god not to kill you. I want you around.'

I wondered if she asked the question in light of my conversation with her last night when I made her promise me that after I die, she will help in donating my eyes, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and pancreas?

Seeing the changing expression on her face last night, I didn't have the heart to tell her to thereafter give my body away to medical students. Instead, I told her to imagine how much that donation would help so many other people and how she can continue seeing my eyes in someone else and to imagine the happiness of someone with a new kidney and the like.

Even through her confused looks in the eyes, she promised me.

Coming back to today, I asked her what she'll do if I do die?

'I'll find another daddy', she said matter of factly and without any thought.

I burst off laughing and when it settled, I asked her, 'How will you find another daddy?'

'I will ask god to give me one exactly like you'!!!

I both laughed aloud and was also struck with her self-assured confidence.

I was amazed at the clarity children possess and felt inspired to learn more from her and hope to prevent the spoiling of her innocence she'd go through with a regular education when children are anyway born intelligent.

Alas, no such luck there.

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