Used or experienced

The grandkids have spoken their minds again – their mother reports. It all began with a sibling rivalry fray according to a recent e-mail:
During a quiet moment in the van with the three children, Ginger, the oldest, spoke up from the backseat.
“Mom, do you know what?”
“What?”
“Guess,” she said. (I hate it when my kids do this.)
“I’m tired. Just tell me.”
“Mommmmmm! I just want you to guess.”
“Ginger, I am trying to drive. Just tell me.”
“Okay. Do you know why I like being the firstborn?” she asked.
(Dang! I have to guess again.)
“Because you are not four and your pants are not torn?” I answered.
The girl giggled and said that I was silly.
“Do you really know why?” she persisted.
“Will you just tell me! I am trying to drive!” I yelled.
“Well, I am glad that I was born first because I got a fresh mom instead of a used one.”
Basil and Violet were crushed. They howled. The chaos was deafening. It was tragic. They had gotten a used mom not a fresh one like their sister.
“Ginger, you have the privilege of being the firstborn, and having me to yourself for a while. But I am never used. I am always fresh for each baby. And this next baby will get fresh love, too.”
Basil and Violet still howled.
“Well, I am still glad that I was born first. And I am still glad that my mom was fresh!”
Later Alexis got to thinking about what Ginger had said and wrote the following classified ad:
One mom for sale: 1973 July model; used, but not quite vintage. Still running. Never had an oil change. Great for meal preparations, repetitive chores, carpools, school volunteerisms, and doing anything else no one in the family is willing to do. Needs some minor exterior work hasn’t had a haircut in four months, needs new clothes, a toothbrush – her old one broke today. Great gas mileage – runs all morning long at full speed on a single cup of coffee. Structurally sound. Great for young kids – she hasn’t had old ones yet. Don’t jump on her though, she’s a bit temperamental about that.
I e-mailed her back:
What Basil and Violet do not realize is that they got an experienced mom. When I go to see a doctor, I like having an experienced doctor, one that knows and has practiced for a while, not one fresh out of medical school – not when I am the one who needs to be checked out.
When I had to have a biopsy recently to find out I was healthy, my husband told me I wanted a doctor with lots of experience. It was nice to know that the doctor I eventually saw performs the same operation many times every week. The nurses knew what to expect. Compared to the fumbling beginner who is still trying to figure out what to do, their efficiency was awesome – if more expensive. Which is the other thing about experienced providers, they frequently cost more, because they are worth more, just as experienced moms are worth a lot more.
So yes, Ginger got a fresh mom, but Basil and Violet and this next child will get an experienced, wiser, more efficient mom who is worth more. And that is nothing to cry about.
Time to be boasting if you ask me.