July 8, 2014

I agreed to deliver items collected at my boss's Canada Day pancake breakfast to the Food Bank.  Today Imogen, Julius, and I took everything in.

Me, gesturing at a large box marked 'Donations', to woman behind desk: Should we put these things in that cardboard box?

Woman:  No. Just set them on the ground here, we'll weigh them before they get put in the supply.

Imogen:  They're from Laurie Blakeman!  We're delivering for her!

Woman:  Oh, she's an MP or something, right?

Me: MLA, actually.

Imogen: Don't you know what an MLA... [stopped by my lips pursed and finger to them, signalling 'stop.'

After, in car.

Imogen:  Mom, why didn't that woman know who Laurie Blakeman is?  Why didn't she know the difference between an MP and an MLA?  Mom, an MLA is a Member of the Legislative Assembly and an MP is a Member of Parliament and Laurie is not a Member of Parliament.  Why didn't she know that?  Why did you shush me?

Me:  Imogen, you know a lot more about politics than most children your age.

Imogen: So?  She wasn't a child my age.

Me:  That's true, but a lot of grown ups aren't aware of politics; they don't follow politics.  I think you might know more than some adults.

Imogen:  You mean she doesn't vote?!

Me:  I didn't say that she doesn't vote.  We don't know that.  I only mean that she might not know about politicians who aren't representing her.  Lots of adults don't know things like that.

Imogen:  How can they not know?  That is crazy, Mom.  People should know things so they can make intelligent choices when they vote.  You told me that the last time you voted.

Me:  I did tell you that and I do think people should inform themselves, but not everyone does.  And not everyone votes.  In fact, in our elections, not enough people vote, only about 60%.

Imogen:  That's only a little bit over half.  That's stupid.

Me:  It's not good, that's for sure.

Imogen:  Mom, I still want to be in the Olympics for curling and figure skating and ballet [please note: Imogen does not participate in any of these activities] and I want to be an ice cream scientist, but I've decided something.

Me: What's that?

Imogen:  I think I need to be an MLA too.  I think I need to work with Laurie Blakeman.

Me:  I think you would be a great politician Imogen, but I'm not sure you can be an Olympic athlete in all those sports AND be a politician.  Also?  I think that probably Laurie won't be a politician any more by the time you are old enough to enter politics.

Imogen:  Well now you're talking crazy too, Mom, because Laurie needs to be an MLA forever and I am going to work with her.  All my friends at school will be jealous because I will be an MLA with the best MLA ever.  Well, except me.  I might be better.  And I think you should let me get earrings because Laurie has earrings.

(File under: Conversations not anticipated)