Unexpected

I'm standing at the window in the dining room, gazing out at the spring snow that is falling and covering the street, the trees, the bushes and grass while I chat with my husband on our customary 9:30 phone call.  As we talk, Maddie wiggles impatientlyl beside me, eager for her turn to talk with Papi.  She too gazes at the snow.  Finally, I say, "Here's Maddie," and hand the phone to her. 

"Hi Papi," she says and I hear him respond at the other end.  But she doesn't wait for him to finish.  "Papi, Be careful, Ok?" she says.  I smile a little in surprise, understanding immediately where her thoughts are going, but amazed because her first questions is usually, What time are you going to be home Papi? 

"Be careful?" I hear him ask.  "Be careful of what, baby?"

"Because the roads," she explains, "the road looks slippery because there's snow on it Papi.  So you have to be careful when you drive so that you don't break the truck."

He's awestruck at the other end of the line, and I am too, because I can't believe that this little tyke is worrying about his safety.  They chat for a moment longer and then she abruptly hugs the phone, throws a kiss down the line and says loudly, "Bye-bye Papi!"