The Whisper Game

The following post is not meant to be offensive to people in wheelchairs in any way. If you think you are someone who might be offended easily at this matter, just pass this post on by.

Ok, so this morning once again I am in Albertson's on Loop 288 in Denton. Yes, this is the same place that humiliation has plagued me at the hand of the adorable, very well spoken and innocent little girl. This morning had all of the makings of the most embarrassing few seconds of my life, however in my effort to save myself or someone else the humiliation I seem to have stumbled across a way of stopping the problem dead in its tracks while still allowing my free-thinking 2 1/2 year old to express herself...
As we strolled through the produce section (which still makes me nervous after the whole "bear incident") when I saw a man in a wheelchair. We exchanged smiles and "Good Mornings" and I kept moving on. However as I glanced at Bella I noticed that this had definitely caught her attention. I watched her little eyes studying this man who was in what I am sure she thought was very interesting. Since I love to watch my sweet baby spin her little wheels in her head as she tries to figure something out, I sat for a few seconds and watched her think, and think, and think. But then it hit me...

Sweet Father in Heaven, please do not let Bella say anything that is going to hurt this guy's feelings. Like really, please.

Right about that moment, the man slightly changed the angle of his chair. I saw then that both of his legs had been amputated at the knee. Normally this would not have struck me in any way, however I realized then that Bella had zeroed in on the fact that something was very different here. Holy crap, what is she going to say. I immediately sprung into action in true mother fashion and whispered gently in her ear...
Me: We are going to play the whisper game now Bella. Can you do that?
Bella (In her best whisper voice): Ok Momma. I can do dat.
Me: So anything you want to ask Mommy, you need to whisper it ok?
Bella (with her eyes still locked on the man in the wheelchair): Ok Mom. But...but...
Me: But what Bella? You can talk to Momma. Just WHISPER.
Bella: Ok, but Momma...Wher'd heez legs go?
Me: Good whispering Bella. Keep it up.
Bella: But...but, is dey hiding?
Me: Bella, he may have gotten a bad boo-boo on his legs and they had to go away.
Bella: Can I hep him find dem?
Me: That's sweet Bella, but I think he is ok. Alright?
Bella: Ok Mom. But if I find dem, I can give dem to him?
Me: Yes Bella, if you find them you can give them back to him.

So I seemingly avoided what could have been an extremely awkward situation all with quick thinking. The Whisper Game is going to be a staple with Bella in social situations from now on. Let's just hope it works. I finally left that Albertson's with my head hanging high and knowing that my innocent little girl had not unknowingly insulted anyone or made me look like an idiot. It was a proud morning for me.