Can the doctor make me stop growing?

The other day I was driving home from church with our three kids in the back seat when I heard Rocco whimpering. I looked back and he was doing his best to contain his little 4-year-old tears. "Roc, what's wrong, buddy?" I said.

"Mommy, I want you to take me to see Dr. Brian right now."

Alarmed by the request to see our pediatrician immediately, I prepare to pull over.

He stops me saying, "I want him to give me something so that I stop growing...and I need it now before I grow any more."

Hmmm...I wonder what this is about? I wait in silence to see if he voluntarily divulges.

"I just know that when I grow up, you will leave me." The sobs get louder.

I try to contain my laughter. He is seriously the most adorable thing.

"Oh, Rocco...Dr. Brian can't make you stop growing. Nobody can. God wants you to grow up so that you can learn more about His blessings."

"But, but, but...I only want to learn about His blessings if you promise you won't leave me. "

Of course, I promised. Roc is truly a example of the tremendous dichotomy that can exist within us as humans. One second, he is clotheslining his baby sister for no reason, "Just because I can." The next, he is in a puddle of tears at the prospect of losing his mama somewhere down the road. Precious.