My post yesterday made me so sad, but I must admit, it has made me even more aware of the children I am privileged to work with, ages 5 to 18. Today, as I walked through the library, and later when I walked across campus, each child--even the scruffy looking teenagers--seemed more precious than they had in a long time. It's a shame that it takes a tragedy to open our eyes to what is around us.
Given this new awareness of the miracle of childhood, I thought it was time to get out grandma's brag book, like I do every few months.
Here's grandma this past Monday, intently concentrating as you can see, reading to Henry, nearly 4, and Fritz, 2 1/2. Two of my three kids loved to read (and still do), but these two guys just adore books thanks to their mom and dad. I go for a few hours to their home most Monday afternoons, but this Monday was unique because my daughter-in-law had a dental appointment. Fritz was napping, but I had Henry all to myself--and vice versa. For close to two hours he asked me to read to him and selected several books, some from the library. He snuggled against me, commented sometimes on what he heard, asked questions, and damn. I felt deeply and unconditionally loved for the first time in a long time. I am fortunate that my son and his family live so close because I am really getting to see them grow up right before my eyes. By the way, for anyone who needs a gift for your own little one or someone else's, we got a new book in our children's collection at work today called "Henry and the Bucaneer Bunnies." It was released in 2005 but I hadn't seen it before, and it seems perfect for my own Henry's fourth birthday. The delight of this book is that the pirate named Henry loves books and is frequently reading the pirate classics when he should be helping his Johnny Depp-look-alike bunny captain.
This is Zachary who will be one year old on April 7, but I haven't seen him in person since Thanksgiving. He's the one who lives in Washington state. But, my daughter-in-law frequently sends photo links to Flickr or they send me little iMovies of what he is doing. Best of all are the precious minutes when they invite me to a webcam conference and I see him in real-time. Isn't technology a wonder? My son mentioned he thought Zach would appreciate some construction toys as he loved his cousin's trucks when he visited them. So, I went on Amazon today and got two Buddy-Ls and a ride-em excavator. I have a photo of my son and his son on an excavator Joe rented when he built a retaining wall last year. What in the heck is it about little boys and construction equipment?
And last but not least, my adult grandkids Whitney and Anthony. This photo was taken a few months back inside of Whitney's car. On March 26, Whit will turn 20 and I simply can't believe I have grandkids ranging from one year to 20. She is going to college and working part-time and living with her mom again. Anthony, who is still living with me, is 18 and graduates from high school in June. I had some precious moments with him last night when I picked him up from work; his truck's starter is out. We heated up dinner together and while his was waiting for the microwave, we talked about all kinds of things--including Donnie Darko. That 2001 film is one of his favorites and because he recommended it, I watched it last week. I won't forget it, but it was a trip. Anthony will be moving in with his mom this summer, attending community college in the fall, and playing football, too.
So, those are grandma stories and photos. How extremely privileged I am to have these five youn 'uns in my life. Hopefully I'll see Zach this summer when I visit in Washington again.
