Maybe he's a monster

So out of nowhere last week, Audrey says to me, "Our family, our friends, and all the people of the whole world are our family and trees are good for the earth." Huh? Where does she get this stuff? I told her she was right and that even when we disagree with people, we have to remember that all the people of the world are part of our family and we have to try to understand them and get along.

Oh, to be tested so soon.

On Monday, late for an appointment and with her in the back seat, I get behind a little pick-up truck littered with offensive stickers including:

• Life's a Bitch...don't vote for one (picture of Hillary Clinton)
• Proud NRA member
• I love cats...they taste like chicken
• The closer you get the slower I go

Trying not to fume, I murmured a disgusted, "Oh, Brother..."

"What mommy?"
"Well Audrey, remember last week when you told me all the people of the world are our family? Well, this guy in front of me has some mean things on his truck and I'm trying to remember that he is part of our world family." (I could barely convince myself of this, but I was trying to set an example.)

Audrey - "What does it say?"
Me - "That he likes to eat cats."
Audrey - "Maybe he just thinks that's funny, mommy."

Pregnant pause as I contemplate how smart and compassionate and optimistic my kid is.
Audrey - "Or maybe he's a monster."

Yes. That it all.