Can you take a genie?

We were visiting my in-laws last night and my daughter asked everyone, “If you were going to live on a desert island and you could take one thing, what would you take?”

We’ve all played these games before and I always love to hear what people would take. However, what was most fascinating was listening to everyone think out loud. They were going through individual items and talking about which one they would take.

Then my kids started talking. My 12 year old said she would take a genie – and a real one at that, none of this limiting you to 3 wishes stuff. While all the other adults were busy telling her you couldn’t take a genie because they don’t exist, I was grinning like a Cheshire Cat. Why was I so happy? Because my daughter was Thinking Big.

My mother-in-law was trying to choose a book. My father-in-law was trying to choose a tool. My daughters knew they wouldn’t have to settle, and they were busy figuring out how to “have it all” on a desert island. Their sorting process - once the adults said “No genies; only things we’ve all seen and touched” - included things like a library and a mall.

I don’t know if they ever chose the one thing they would take because I was too busy being happy, knowing they believe they never have to settle.