We had just finished a visit to the Rembrandthuis Museum, me and the kids.  We were getting our coats and gloves and hats out of the lockers and preparing to go home.  But then Elliot grabbed my cap and quickly put it on his own head, proudly pronouncing, "Hi there, I'm Daddy!"

His voice was low and gruff.  His face took on a more serious aspect.  And what he said next -- his knee-jerk characterization of who I am and what I would say in such a situation -- was fascinating to me.  He said, "Hey there kids.  I get to stay up late and watch movies.  I like to eat popcorn."  And that was it.  He busted up laughing, and then I snatched the cap away from his head.

But I almost wished I had left it there longer -- to hear what he would have said.  Is that really the first thing my son thinks about me, when he puts on my cap, when he pretends that his head is my head?!?  Movies and popcorn?!?  I'm sure he would have had more to say, but I thought it was incredibly interesting (and amusing) to hear his initial thoughts.  It made me realize how we are constantly perceiving one another, catching imperfect, incomplete reflections of each other's personalities.

So what would someone say if they tried on your cap for awhile?  Someone from your work?  Someone from your church?  Someone from your family?  Or what would you say if you were to try on my cap for a moment?  I wonder...