Waiting Now

My youngest was grumpy today. To attempt re-hydration, I offer hot chocolate.

He said he didn't want to wait for hot chocolate. He wanted it now.

He thought waiting was bad?!

So I asked:

"What would happen if you never had to wait for anything?"

(He scowled.)

Impatiently, I continue:

"Everything you ever wanted would happen right now. You'd have everything you ever wanted right now. All the food you ever wanted to eat. You wouldn't have to wait to grow up. You'd become an old man right now. Do you want to be an old man right now? ... You can wait??  Good. I guess you can wait for hot chocolate, too."

But he didn't have to wait much longer because the milk was hot.

I'm not sure he got much more than a drink, but now I have a new appreciation for waiting.

Still, next time he gets water.