It's J Week and That's No Joke

On the way home from picking my kids up from school earlier this week we were stuck in traffic during some construction. One of the orange clad men on the site noticed my son and approached the car. He indicated that he wanted us to roll down the window. At first blush this seemed a bit odd with the the potential to be creepy. But he was a older gentleman (and as I age, the definition of “older” changes with some regularity) and my gut feeling was that he was not ill intended. Besides, we were surrounded by cars and construction workers so it seemed safe enough.

I rolled down the window and he pointed at my son and said “What has two knees and swims in the ocean?” The traffic started to move and we needed to pull away. The pressure was too much and we both responded that we didn't know. “A tunee fish” the man replied as we drove off.

We laughed, not really because it was funny, but at the surprise and joy of a stranger approaching us for the sole reason of telling a joke. And all at once it occurred to me; being  kindness in the week of J we must tell him a joke right back! Because this particular road construction project had been going on for some time (laying of sewer pipes for those interested in details) there was a good chance we would have the opportunity later in the week.

We prepared. What happened to duck who flew upside down? He had a quack up. We planned. The next time we saw the man, I would slow the car, my son would roll down the window and tell the joke.

Alas, by end of the week the opportunity eluded us. By the time we came home from school each afternoon the construction was shut down for the day. And the week of J concluded without us completing our task. But as we move onto K week, my son has vowed to accomplish his mission. The joke will be told at the first opportunity regardless of what letter is featured.