An anecdote: What do you want to be when you grow up?

Yesterday, the girl I nanny asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. This made me smile; I'm glad someone still thinks of me as at least somewhat of a kid (in comparison to all the adults asking me what I'm going to do with my life RIGHT NOW, THIS SECOND, FIGURE IT OUT ALREADY).

My exact answer was, "You know, that's what I ask myself everyday." I went on to tell her I'm interested in a lot of things, one of them being a writer. Her eyes lit up at this idea and asked me if when I become a famous writer, I could send her all of my books so she can read them. Even thought she's only 8, it always makes me a little excited to know that someone else is interested in reading my rambling thoughts. I told her I most definitely would send her every book I write, with a hand-written dedication made out specifically for her in the front page.

Then I told her that I've also always been intrigued by social work. I predicted her questioning of this strange occupation (it didn't sound nearly as glamorous as the previous one) so I explained to her that social workers usually get involved in an issue they care about and work in organizations. She asked me what issues mattered to me, handicapped kids? I said yes, of course I care about handicapped kids (she's going to make me look bad here), but I am more interested in working in women's rights groups.

HERE is when she really lit up.

"OOH! You can become the first female President! Did you know women couldn't vote back in the day?"

I actually had told her this fun fact a while ago, but she's too young to remember where she learned this and who told her what. Her parents are going to hate me for turning her into a feminist before she even reached her pre-teen years. But the best part of my day was when her mom walked into the house 30 minutes later, once we were way past this adult conversation and on the topic of ponies, and the girl yelled out:

"MOMMY! Miss Lucia is going to fight for women's rights when she grows up!"

Yes, yes I am.