The day (Moby), plus ‘better than Julie.’

En route to say goodbye.

BETTER THAN JULIE?

Daddy, daddy!
they shrilled.
Push us on the tire swing, push us FAST on the tire swing!!

Why?
I said.
Why should I push you? We're at a park. You're supposed to be playing, not swinging.

Because it's fun!
the shrilling continued.
And because you're good at pushing!

One of the two - I recognized her; I think she may have been my daughter - paused mid-shriek.

Yeah, you're a pretty good pusher,
she said.
Probably like the fourth best in the world.

Oh.
I said.
Why not Top Three?

Well,
she said.
Julie Natiuk is the third best. One time she pushed us and she was very good at it. Better than you.

Okay.
I said.
Fair enough. Who's got the top two spots then?

She shrugged.
I don't know. But I'm sure there's a couple people somewhere in the world I haven't met who are better at pushing than you.

Alright.
I said.
I guess I could push you for a little bit. After all, you guys are on my Top 100 best children in the world list.

What?!
she shrieked.
Top hundred?!

Yep.
I said.
Probably 93 and 94. Something like that.

Well who's higher than?”
she asked.

I don't know.
I said.
I haven't met all the children in the world, but there's probably some I'd like more.

DADDY!!
she yelled.
and I started pushing. Higher and faster than they'd ever gone before. Because I'm the best...or at least best-ish. I'll take a Top 5 finish.

Props, Julie. Way to set the bar fairly high.