Imitation Crab! 

by Vickie G Paver 

Whenever we sit down at the breakfast table with our grandchildren, the littlest grandchild "must" have a box of cereal in front of her so she can read the hype on the box. Mind you---she is only 2 years old. It doesn't matter, she insists on looking at the outside of the box. Most boxes have quite interesting characters, like Tony the Tiger, on the front---impressing the wee ones. Next are the collectables, Minnie and Mickey Mouse babies and mini beanies. Don't forget about those baseball trading cards either! Needless to say, the advertisement on the cereal boxes is usually focused on what kids are interested in, unless you start looking at oatmeal boxes. Even then, they now have individual packages of oatmeal with strawberry swirls or grape blasts!!! The thing of it is---the boxes are appealing. And the kids eat the cereal---and read the boxes---so they will want more cereal and whatever is being advertised!!! 

This reminds me of what we as human beings may be publicizing to our kids as we live our daily lives. They certainly are reading what we advertise! If you don't believe me, tell someone to shut up and then listen to any 2 year old repeat such a word. I started thinking about what I project more seriously when my granddaughter persisted in copying my crabby attitude! One day I asked her Papa, "Would you please pick up your shirt," in the most sarcastic tone. She then yelled at him, "Papa, pick up your shirt!" I had to explain that it was not nice to talk to Papa like that and Grandma should have asked in a nicer way! 

It was at this time that I decided to pay a little closer attention to her and have some fun at the same time. She did not realize I was going to be observing her as I started the little game. Whenever I did anything, she imitated me. Then we got a little silly. I deliberately scratched my head---she did the same. As we were sitting at the table, I would talk to her and take a sip of my coffee and she mimicked me. I laughed hysterically and she copied me again. We played this little game for about a half hour. She caught onto the game and wanted to continue, but "grandma" was tired of the entertainment. I needed to finish cleaning up the after breakfast mess before the whole day slipped away. 

One thing I noticed is that, even though the game was up, our grandchild was still imitating me! I could not get over it! I was flabbergasted! A powerful understanding sunk in, that I needed to give my actions and words more serious thought! The concept had no sooner passed through my brain and settled in my heart---when other thoughts came to me in the form of questions. "What am I projecting to others as I come in contact with people on a daily basis? How do my words and actions affect family and friends? It wasn't the first time I thought about things like this, but it came home to my heart in torpedo fashion after watching my granddaughter imitate me. I certainly did not want to be advertising, "imitation crab."