The Forehead Kiss

Location: My Apartment
Mood: Longing

What is it about the forehead kiss? It's heart warming really. It's the only kind of kiss that lets you know the kisser truly cares about you. Sure, anyone can kiss you on the forehead, and there's nothing particularly intimate about that section of flesh. But, for some reason, when someone kisses you right there, above your nose and in between your eyes, it seems to expose their true feelings for you.

It doesn't always have to be in a romantic setting. My dad kisses me on the forehead occasionally, and when that happens I know that he's proud to be my dad. I have a male friend who smooches my temple from time to time. Granted, this would be odd if it happened frequently, but since it doesn't it's special. It let's me know that he is glad to be my friend.

That being said, I think the best forehead kiss is the romantic forehead kiss. It's been my favorite kiss from all of my previous boyfriends, but it hasn't been the same for each of them. It's an individualized embrace.

I had one boyfriend that did it frequently. When this occurred it was innocent, and affectionate. This boyfriend and I broke up, but we remained close friends. He no longer kisses my forehead. However, when I look back upon a time that he did I'm not surprised that our amorous relationship did not last. The kiss on the tip of my face foretold our future as life long friends who care deeply for one another.

My second serious boyfriend often kissed me on the top of my head. When he did I felt this strong bond to him. I couldn't help but smile. Even now, I remember that experience fondly. The memory gives me a warm sensation behind my eyes and a tingling feeling in my stomach just as strong as if it were still happening. At the time, it was my favorite thing in the world. I couldn't get enough of it, and I even went so far as to ask him to do it (calling it a kiss "betwix my ojos") It was an intense feeling. Ultimately, that's how our relationship was. Intense. It ended with me begging for more, and not appreciating the sporadic specialness of a random peck.

Through the years various people have kissed my forehead, and retrospectively each kiss has indicated the nature of our relationship. A kiss on the forehead is brief, but will tell you if someone admires you, or is amused by you. A forehead kiss can even tell you if, in some way, the kisser looks down on you with a level of condescension. This gentle kiss between your eyes can even allow you to evaluate whether you reciprocate the same level of emotion or intimacy as the kisser.

Really, it's the best kind of kiss, and I wish you all one very soon.

Awesome Conversations with Children

So, you may or may not know that I work with children. Most of the kids I work with have had some pretty traumatic/hard lives. However, that does not make them any less insightful or fun. They have said some completely amazing things to me over the last few months, and I decided to start documenting them. Due to confidentiality reasons I can't give much information, but I thought that people might enjoy what little I could share. I've had some really rather humorous conversations with these little tykes.

Before I share them with you I should probably put in a little disclaimer. None of these conversations represent my own opinions or ideas. I take no responsibility for any offense that may come from the ramblings of these children. Besides, they're just kids people. Lighten up.

J. Boy age 7
J: I've been to Mars.
Me: Really? What's it like there?
J: Red
Me: Makes sense.
J: And they speak Chinese.
Me: Oh, I had no idea.
J: Yeah, this one time I called them up, and I was like, 'ching chang cho.;
Me: What does that mean?
J: I don't know. I don't speak Chinese.

boy Age 8
You know, Venus is a lot like New York.

J. boy Age 5
J: How old are you?
Me: How old do you think I am?
J: 8?
Me: No, I'm older than 8.
J: 3,000?
Me: No. I'm younger than 3,000.
J: Will you just tell me?
Me: I'm 23.
J: WOAH! You should be bigger!

boy Age 8
The three rules of the sea:
1. No eating other fish, unless they attack you or swim away.
2. Always obey the law.
3. No messing with Spiderman.

D. boy age 5
D: This dragon breathes fire and ice cream.
Me: Doesn't that melt the ice cream?
D: No. Because, sometimes you have to cook ice cream first.

J. boy age 5
Me: That's a really big green bean you have!
J: It's not bigger than this town though.

E. boy age 3
Me: What do those carrots taste like?
E: Umm...green.

boy age 4
My doughnut tasted like Spiderman.

M. boy age 5
M: I like sharks, but not real ones. They bite you. Swordfish hurt you too.
Me: I didn't know that.
M: Yeah well they have a poky nose.

boy age 4
I don't want to play with you. I want to play with a human.

boy age 4 (Reactive Attachment Disorder)
I don't know how to like you.

girl age 7
You want a piece of me? Let's go butthole.

M. boy age 4
Me: Where were you yesterday?
M: I'm batman. I was flying around.

K. boy age 5
Me: What did you draw?
K: That's me in my mommy's tummy. It's boring there.

A. boy age 5
A (to another kid): Please stop looking at me.
Me: She's not looking at you. She's just looking around the room. Does it feel like she's looking at you?
A: Yeah, it's cuz she thinks I'm a robot.

A. boy age 5
A: Knock, Knock!
L: Who's there?
A: Please to meet you!
L: Please to meet you who?
A: um...pants on head!

M. boy age 4
I don't want to hurt people, but sometimes I do and I don't know why.

Admittedly I have gotten really bad at remembering these little bits of awesomeness that children offer me. As the last few entries may indicate, my memory has gravitated toward the more disturbing quotes of late. I have been saving this draft for a while. I began it a year ago before I started regular work with maltreated kids. I've added to it over the months, but not for some time. Rereading it has reminded me that kids have remarkable, and often enjoyable insight. I think it's important to consider that every now and then. Enjoy your kids people.