A Gift to Me!

I called to say hello. Just to say hello. (We had seen them yesterday.) Then it happened. Out of the blue came the voice of my precious grandchild, 'Nelson'. (By the end of May, there will be 7 grandchildren: 4 boys and 3 girls, six and under, all future hugging targets.) Today-June 2- we have those seven.

“Are you coming over tomorrow”?, Nelson remarked. “You want us over again, I asked?” “Yes”, he said. We had just seen this little tyke, his 6 year old brother and newborn sister yesterday. I thought he'd be tired of us old people by now. He caught me off guard. I assured him we would try to visit very soon.

Mom was sleeping with her newborn baby upon our arrival the day before. Raising children is a 'lifelong' labour of love. My recent visit began with dinosaurs in the driveway and what to do about them if we had a school bus parked there. These monsters of history had been compared, in size, to a school bus. These home schooled children had to know what to do if these creatures tried to enter the house. Every answer given was met by yet another question from me their grandmother. Children's verbal ability -at any age- is a incredible look into the future of these burgeoning adult human beings. What they know is a must for me, always has been. I'm always learning. I felt honoured that 'Nelson' wanted us to return, so quickly. I was caught off guard. 

My "What's new?" question is a never ending story for us. I want to know everything that they want to tell me. Children can be ignored when life gets busy. Grandparents can help be that other human toy at the ready. Tell me what you love. Tell me what you know. What have you been doing? What is your favourite colour or food today? 

Language is the cornerstone of human development. It begins at the beginning. Nelson's sister, a four-month-old, is smiling and talking while making us laugh.  I am intrigued by her. The imagination runs rampant. I can hardly wait to hear more. These little people belong to me. How fortunate I am that our children gave us the gift. I am anxious to hear where their 'words' take them. Dinosaurs are here to stay. Dragons are front and center in another home. My. My. Tell me more!

I want our grandchildren -all 7 of them - to count on me being there when life gets tough. Another set of eyes and ears can only help because in the midst of their thoughts, hugs will be there. See you soon my children.