Chop chop

My dad was impatient at best. He was punctual to a T. My mom was always 15 minutes late so my dad was forever rushing us along. I didn't inherit his punctuality despite him always telling me, "you are not important enough for people to have to wait for you." He meant no harm in this statement; it wasn't a blow to my ego. What he meant was that my time was no more valuable than the person who was waiting for me and I should respect that. 

Tonight I was rushing Hayden along in his lolly gag bedtime routine and he said, "Do you mean chop chop?" I asked where he heard it and he said a teacher. He was instantly worried that he was in trouble. I assured him he wasn't, but that phrase is one I heard my whole life, usually followed by "the bus is leaving!" So it took me by surprise. Since my dad loved the time he spent with Hayden, I'm sure he never uttered those words to him. He never rushed the time he had with my little dude. 

Chop chop dad; bus is leavin.