CTR - The Rix Version

We were driving down the street today on our way to McDonalds for Olivia's birthday and I must not have been paying super-attention because I totally didn't see the guy walking down the side of the road with a shopping cart (Bryan and I were once that guy, walking down the road with a shopping cart, but that's another story). Anyway, Rix asked, "Mom, why does that man have a cart?"

So, trying to now pay attention to the road more, I said, "I don't know." Which is my standard answer to most things I don't want to answer in full detail (I think 5 is too young to get into concrete details about homelessness and/or stealing shopping carts for ones personal use) or I also use it when I, well, don't know the answer (like, why is the sky blue?? Seriously, I don't know the answer to that one).

Rix, still engrossed in this urban phenomenon, said in all his naive-ness, "Maybe he is taking it to his house because he doesn't have food and he needs food." I'm pretty sure the man had blankets and junk in his cart (I didn't see it, but that's the norm for carts seen outside of grocery market parking lots), but I agreed saying "Maybe he doesn't have food and he's bringing some home."

And then Rix gets all smart on me and says "Or maybe he doesn't have a home or food or money and that's why he was walking around." (Okay, who told Rix about homeless people? Huh???) He then asked if I had money to give to the man. I never carry cash (it burns a hole in my pocket and I find myself buying things I don't need) and I wasn't about to give the man by Amex card, so I told Rix I didn't have any money on me.

Rix then says, "Mom, we need to choose the right here. What direction would Heavenly Father want us to do?" Those were his words. See, he does listen in Primary! Anyway, I was slightly amused by all of this, and so I asked Rix "What should we do then Rix? How can we choose the right?"

I was waiting for a profound answer, something to show that he cares about humanity and the woes of others. His answer? With a smile on his face and a few seconds of thought he said, "Go to McDonalds." Sorry homeless man. Maybe next time.