What did you do on the 4th of July?

Here in Colorado there was an extremely thick smoky haze so we decided to spend the day at the Rocky Mountain National Park.  We’re walking along a short path when we came upon a young female ranger standing behind a table that had various animal pelts.  The kids excitedly run up to the table where she was explaining to a family about the various animals.

Moments later, what started out as an innocent fun family moment….

Ranger Lady says to my kids: Would you like to pet my beaver?

An awkward silence fell over the Mutual of Omaha moment.  Instantly, my mind reverts to my teen years.  Right in front of my eyes an opportunity to blurt out inappropriate crude responses, yet I refrain.  I could not help but wonder, am I the only one thinking of all the missed punchline possibilities? I quickly glance around at the other parents, whom I decided at least one other dude was painfully holding back.  Probably because his wife was standing right next to him and he just had an open invitation to pet the beaver, how I would love to hear what he was thinking!

Now this moment will be etched in my memory, a day in the mountains with my family, a ranger and a beaver.