There was some interesting *dinner conversation tonight with my **eight-year-old and my ***five-year old tonight. This was because they informed me, rather nonchalantly that they both believe in reincarnation. We are loosely Catholic, in that we go to Church about twice a year (The Easter/Christmas circuit) and suffer through a mass and then leave quickly. They've heard of heaven and all that, but not to any hardcore degree that would prompt a sort of theological debate or issues of faith or anything of that sort. It all started because they had recently read a Junie B Jones book about the Tooth Fairy. For those of you not in the know, Junie B Jones is sort of a Post Modern Eloise (only she doesn't live in a hotel). According to Junie B the Tooth Fairy pays for teeth because she is recycling them into the mouths of babies (who are born toothless - as you might recall). That said, both my kids felt that souls were also recycled because "it just makes sense" and if they weren't "heaven would be too crowded and that wouldn't be very heavenly". Therefore, according to them, you die, you go briefly to heaven for a layover of sorts. Once there, you take a nap, have a shower, take a brief (though no doubt fearless) inventory, and change your underwear (this according to my son) and then Wham-O... you get shipped back down.

It sounded good to me. I tried to get the Pope on the phone for a little Holy Convo, but alas he was out shoe shopping. Still, I'd say they're onto something.


*hot dogs, apple sauce, and bok choy - not every meal can be inspired
** - daughter, brilliant
*** - son, ironic