A bittersweet example:

We were in line at the book store and the lady behind me was deliberating over buying a Robert Munsch treasury with her companion. I chimed in and nonchalantly endorsed the book, telling her it's a hit in our house.

The woman eyed my son skeptically and said dismissively, "Isn't he a bit young?"

I just said, "He loves the stories. Barely a day goes by that he doesn't ask to read them."

She sneered and said, "Just imagine how much he'll enjoy them when he understands them."

At which point my son, who I had in a front carrier, piped up enthusiastically when he saw the cover, "Robert Munsch! Mummy, please read Robert Munsch book!"

She bugged and said, "Did he just say "Robert Munsch?!""

I just nodded.

Isn't it nice to be vindicated in real time when people are rude? All the same, maybe I should keep my book endorsements to myself from now on. I don't want my son to pick up on the comments.

What is to give light must endure burning.