of course the classic (Merci ma mere) response whenever anyone asks or says anything like that is to look at them, deeply and sincerely and sweetly ask "whatever would make you ask (say) that?" Makes them responsible for their question, comment. One of my mothers
other ittle ditties was" the wise old owl was a funny bird, the less he spoke the more he heard, the more he heard, the more he knew, now I think that's a wise old owl, don't you?"

just sayin

marni