Genealogically-Minded

On K's first day of school, we received the utterly tragic news that her would-be second grade teacher had miscarried the day before school started. The school, sensitive to the impact of this news on the kids, had sent a letter home with each to permit us parents to deliver the heartbreaking information in the way that was best for our child.

We explained to K what had happened, and we all shared the sorrow of this devastating event. K cried a little, and we talked about the fact that her teacher might not return for some time. Out of the blue, K then asked what seemed to me to be a very strange question.

"Mommy, did my teacher have any brothers or sisters?" K asked.

"Do you mean did your teacher have other children?," I asked.

"No," she said. "I was wondering whether her parents have other children," she proceeded.

Not knowing where this was going, I said, "No, I have no idea. I don't know anything about your teacher. Why do you ask?," I asked.

"Well, since her baby has passed away, I was concerned about how their family line would continue," she answered.

Whoa! For a minute there, I was back in Medieval Europe or Dynastic China. Other than the Mountbattens, I'm not sure I know any other adults -- much less children -- concerned with lines of succession and the continuation of familial bloodlines. That kid! Where does she get this stuff?