Security Hoe

Remember all those Hollywood movies where the cute toddler is carrying around their favorite "blankie" or teddy? That one item that made them feel safe and loved, the item that mom couldn't leave home without because her little precious bundle of joy was so attached to it. The toddler would hug it tight, kiss it or drag it behind him as he walked down the street holding mommy's hand. It was such a picture perfect image, the baby holding the raggedy bear or dogie or worn out blanket tight against his chubby cheek as he fell asleep in his crib like an angel. Ahhh, isn't that adorable...

Well guess what, my reality didn't mirror the movies. No, my son never fell in love with any adorable stuffed animal or blanket. No, my son fell in love with a HOE! Yup, a BIG RED PLASTIC HOE (which is usually dirty because he actually uses it as a hoe in the yard). And now, when I go to any kind of event or gathering, I need to take the hoe with me because it's my son's security HOE (notice his death grip on the hoe in the picture)! And when my little chubby cheeked angel falls asleep in his crib, he's hugging a three foot long HOE.

It's more funny than embarrassing but sometimes when I'm trying to put him in the car or going around a tight turn in the stroller the hoe can present a slight logistical problem. And I can just imagine how interesting it's going to make going through airport security ("no it's not a threat to national security, it's my son's security HOE")!

But, I've learned to love the hoe because it makes my son happy and it reminds me that, like most things in my life, reality is a lot stranger, funnier and more interesting than fiction!