The other day, I was catcalled by a construction worker.
I also happened to be holding my 2 year-old son.
As my brain swirled with righteous indignation, anger at the classlessness of objectifying a woman in front of her small male child, and the witty retorts that I’d been saving up since the last time I was catcalled on a construction site…
My son lost it. Lost it.
“Hiiii DIGGERS, hiiii! Mama, see diggers? A crane! A scoop! Dumpppppppp TRUCK!”
His enthusiasm startled every last person within hearing distance. The original catcaller looked slightly uncomfortable at the unwanted attention. But Jasper wasn’t even close to done. He squatted down and settled in for his personal amalgamation of the Oscars, Tonys, Grammys, Emmys, and every superhero movie franchise opening weekend yet to come.
And ooh boy, as that loader- uh, loaded, Jasper shrieked like it was a Beatles sighting.
“DO IT ‘GAIN?”
Fortunately for my kid, the loader did do it again- roughly every thirty seconds for the next 20 minutes. How do I know? For I was not allowed to leave. Jasper watched the story unfold with rapt attention, hands clutching his mouth each time the process began again. Ascent, pivot, descent, scoop, and- can it be? Holy junk, it’s scooping gravel!! And during this pattern, not a single construction worker was left out of the sphere of Jasper’s all-consuming and noisy love. Frantic waves, fist punches into the air, even a blown kiss or two.
I can’t believe it either.
Aside from a sheepish wave back at my overwhelmingly enthusiastic kid, the majority of workers avoided eye contact, adjusted their shirts, and focused incredibly hard on the task immediately before their eyes. And I’m not saying I promote feelings of unease or objectification against any living creature…
…but in that moment…
…at that very instant…
…It. Was. Wonderful.
So I sat down beside my son and gave a dainty wave, myself.
“Yep! I sure do see ’em, Jasper!”
***
(Taking a bit of a break until mid-August, friends! Feel free to stay in touch via Instagram and on the ‘book. Seeya soon. 🙂 )
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