little man with the big heart

I just went to check on the kids before going to bed for the night.  I covered Emily and went to turn off Anthony's television.  Anthony immediately wakes up and says "Hey, I'm watching that." Then he played the what if game. I love the what if game if I'm the one asking all the questions, but it's much trickier when you're the one who is supposed to supply the answers. So Anthony asked me if there was a fire in the house, would I save our animals. I answered honestly. I said if I was the only one awake, first I would save him and Emily, then I would come back for Daddy and if there was still time I would come back for Lucy and Carmel. He started to cry and said I had to save the animals. That they are part of nature. It's amazing how his mind works and how the most random thoughts suddenly just pop up in his head. Sometimes he reminds me so much of myself. I had no choice but to make him a deal. (really I just reworded it a little) I explained that if there is ever a fire. He is to go across the street or next door. If there's time, to take his sister with him.  If not, I will get Emily and wake up Daddy and as long as he promises to get as far away from the fire as he can, then me and Daddy will do our best to save the animals. This answer seemed to satisfy him. Then I put my ear to his chest and listened to his heart.  I told him that he had a big heart and that he had the biggest heart of anyone I've ever known.