Joseph saves the planet

The other day Joseph and I were walking across a parking lot on our way to an appointment that we were late for. As we neared the sidewalk Joseph stopped short. I was about to tell him to hurry but then I noticed he was staring at a piece of trash on the ground and muttering to himself. I took a couple of steps closer to him and listened as he tried to decide if he wanted to pick the trash up.

"Oh man, who would do this? Who would just drop a piece of trash here like that? It looks like it's a fruit snack wrapper. Maybe some kid did it. Their mom and dad should tell them not to do that. I'm going to throw it away. There's a trash can over there. Why didn't they throw it away in that trash can? I'll pick it up and do it. Augh! There's some rotten water in here! I can't pick it up. No, I have to. I refuse to not do something about this. Some people on this planet just don't care and I have to help out if I can. Why would people be so inconsiderate to do something like this? I don't know but I have to take care of this."

With that he picked up the wrapper, threw it in the trash, wipes his hands on my jeans and walked happily into the building. I don't think he has ever looked so grown up to me before.

One year ago today we went to the zoo and my kids were fracking adorable.