Once in a Childhood

The boys' attention is on one thing when we go outside lately: cicadas. The 17-year cicadas have invaded our neighborhood, and they are absolutely everywhere. The boys are fascinated with these bizarre creatures. Every walk or bike ride involves long pauses to inspect trees and plants, which are often covered with the bugs' shells. When I explained to Grant that these particular cicadas come out of the ground every 17 years, he was intrigued.

"So that means you'll be 22 the next time they come back."

"Whoa, that's old," he said. "How old will you be?"

"Let's not go there."