Because of The Boy's 5 hour nap yesterday, he had no problem clinking his milk cup at midnight last night.  That does not explain why he then woke up at 6:45 a.m. this morning.  But, with waking up on the first day of 2007 at the crack of dawn, it provides endless possibilities for how to spend the first day of the new year. 

Inspired, we jumped into the car and headed to pay our respects to the 38th President of the United States.  Because if it is a rainy, miserable day, a pregnant woman should take her 2 year old to a solemn QUIET place with no Thomas the Train or any toy or entertainment, for that matter. 

We stepped into the Rotunda and that was the moment I realized my mistake.  I thought I had prepared The Boy as we came up the stairs.  Yeah, right.

K:  Ethan, this is a very special place and we have to be very quiet and respectful.  Do you understand?
E:  Os, Momma.

Derek swears that The Boy doesn't understand a word we are saying and just gets lucky when he answers our questions appropriately.  I swear that the child is brilliant and knows everything.  At least I thought this until we stepped into the Capitol Rotunda.  Where the acoustics ROCK.  I took a toddler to a viewing in a room that has one of the best echos in America.  NOW who is the rocket scientist?

E:  PEOPLE!!!! (pointing at, of course, all the people).
K:  (whispering frantically, wondering how many people are watching CSPAN who were wondering who the moron was that brought the loud toddler to see Ford lying in state--then wondering how many people actually watch CSPAN on New Year's Day, let alone, say, ever) you have to use your inside voice, Ethan.  quiet!!!!
E:  PEOPLE (pointing at all the people), PEOPLE, PEEEEE---PPPPPPPLE, PEEEEEE--PPPPLLLLEEE.
K:  (now really frantic--wondering why the line is not moving)  ethan---pleeeease be quiet.
E:  PEOPLE!!!! (insert echo).

Clearly The Boy has no concept of death, the loss of a loved one, or the loss the person who, whether you agree with his actions or not, was the President of the United States of America.  No concept of history or of being a part of history.  Having waited 6 (or was it 7) hours in line when I was 4 weeks pregnant to see Reagan lying in state, I wasn't missing this even if I had to walk 2 miles and I felt like I might give birth right there beside the casket.  Ever emotional, I just wanted to whisk this kid out of there and return the reverence to the room.  I looked up again to see that it was now my turn to move and I realized that I was standing in front of a man who introduced himself as Mike Ford and he thanked me for coming to see his father.  Stunned, I looked over to see Susan Ford Bales greeting the people in the line that funneled around the other side of the casket. 

Had I been my normal self, I would have come up with something witty or clever to say that he would most certainly be repeating for years to come, but I am 8 months pregnant and was so overwhelmed by his actions of honoring his father by greeting every single person that came that I just burst into tears and mumbled a "I'm so sorry for your loss." 

He was a generous soul, thanked me warmly and touched Ethan's arm, asking him how he was doing.  Because the former President's son should have to comfort an emotional pregnant woman having a breakdown 10 feet from his father's casket. 

What can I say?  What more could a parent ask for than to raise children gracious, kind and willing to stand for 3 days in order to personally acknowledge the thousands of people who came to honor that parent?  If your children are your greatest legacy, then I would say that former President Gerald Ford did a lot of things right.