One Thousand and Eight

SuperKid has discovered the biggest number ever: one thousand and eight. It's the height of the tallest tower in the entire world, the largest quantity of anything anyone could ever have, and even the distance to the very stars. He dreams of building a factory that will make 1,008 robots, and of opening a barber shop that gives 1, 008 haircuts. If he had to wait for the longest length of time imaginable, it would take 1,008 days. Someday, when he is a very big grown up man, he wants to have 1,008 kids.

This has been so for over a month. We had no idea why. But recently, we began discussing the possibility of taking a summer trip to Texas. KiSA was looking at the map and teaching SK the names of the states along our intended route. Finally, he explained that it was very far from our house to his grandparent's house. In fact, it is exactly 1,008 miles.

Aha! At some point in a previous trip or discussion of it, SK had picked up that number--1,008--and understood that it was a very great distance. When you're four or five, a two-day drive in the car is the longest, most grueling endurance test imaginable. And when you miss your family, yes, it can feel like a very big number indeed.

There is a value greater than 1,008--Love. It cannot be diminished by distance or time. So please know, dear family and friends, that we love you very much.