“Train up a child . . . “

I am out in Washington visiting the fam; Jon, Fawn and the kids. Today Sam (8 years old) and I made a run to Safeway for a few essentials. Again, this is Washington, home of Mt. Ranier, endless rain, and good old Starbucks. I believe there are more coffee shops in this area than any other place on earth. This is where Jon got hooked on the bean and the proper handling and care of all things espresso related. I believe it has something to do with the air. I drink more coffee here, I want more coffee here, than any other place I go.
Anyway, Sam and I finished our shop, got in the car and since it was late afternoon seemed like a good time to grab a mocha pick-me-up so I called the house to see if Fawn wanted me to get one for her. She didn’t pick up the phone so I left the message, “Hey, I was going to stop and get a coffee. Want me to pick one up? Give me a call if you get this in the next few minutes.”
Sam said, “Oh, you don’t need her to call. She’ll want a sugar-free, non-fat vanilla latte.” Then he added, “And there’s a Starbucks across the street.”
Spoken like a pro.
We headed across the street and as I pulled up to the drive through, the phone rang. It was Fawn. “Can I get you a sugar-free, non-fat vanilla latte?” I asked.
“Why yes. How did you know?” she said.
“Sam told me.” We both laughed.
Kids are paying attention all the time. To everything. All the time. Almost scary.
Proverbs says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
One might add, “and when he is 8, he’ll be able to order your coffee.”