Why?

An ode to my son:

Why?
You ask 1,000 times a day.
Be careful! Why?
Don't touch the lamp! Why?
Please wash your hands before supper. Why?

And then there is the unanticipated why... where you question your own observations.
That school bus is different from the other one. Why?
The dog is just lying there. Why?
Daddy's not home yet. Why?

My darling child, I adore your curiosity. I embrace your desire to know all things. I admire your tenacity in asking this question again and again. But, I have to ask...

Why can't you just wash your hands without explanation? Why can't you step around the dog without questioning her refusal to move? Why do you ask questions to which you know the answer? Why can't you accept my explanation without further probing? Why can't you get out of the car without touching all the buttons??? Why can't you fall asleep without me lying next to you? Why do you insist on chicken nuggets for lunch EVERY SINGLE DAY??? Why isn't "because I said so" a sufficient answer sometimes??

And yet, my love, I still wonder: why was I lucky enough to have you for my son? *sigh* I love you little man. Don't ask why. I just do.