The Theory of Relativity

Sometimes it's important to look at the world in relative terms. An absolute world can be overly simplified, too black and white. In an absolute world, it is hard to find rationale. Relative terms help us all fit in. We can have a relative morality, a relative sanity, a relative normalcy. These are important consolations in our world. For example, I can feel relatively thin compared with most Southerners. I can feel relatively sober against most Southerners. I can feel relatively worldly compared with most Southerners. Truth be told, most Southerners are a good boost in relative comparisons.
That woman with 29 dogs in her station wagon can help us all feel relatively fortunate and sane. The Amazon jungle helps us feel relatively cool in the summer. My dear, deceased Madison makes Clooney look relatively smart. I feel it's important to look at ourselves in these terms, not to feel superior to others, but also to find some humility. There are others who are always smarter, healthier, cooler, more successful, whatever. I am sure they consider themselves more fortunate than I.
S and E are also learning this relative quality to the world. They understand that they are relatively good colorers (for their ages) or relatively fast runners (until Clooney races by) or relatively well stocked in toys (until some kid shows up with some new-fangled thing). I am happy they are taking this in, understanding it, and synthesizing it into their moral and cultural understandings.
Just last night, S was looking at a baby, and said that he hates babies because they can't do anything. Which we talked about at some length. And we talked about how it's not nice to say that we hate some one because they can't do something, and about how S feels when big kids tell him he's no good at something. Then, S says, "babies are gross. They have their hands in their mouths all the time."
"True." I say. "But, don't you and E often have your hands in your mouths?"
"Yes. But you say it make our hands stinky."
"It does make your hands VERY stinky."
"Do you know what makes your hands even stinkier, Mommy?"
"No."
"Sticking your hands in your butt."
Relatively speaking, yes.