The Grandparent Gift

On Friday, March 11th, two of our grandchildren, the ones from Belleville, Michigan, spent the day with us. I looked forward to it with my usual trepidation. I'm always worried that we, as grandparents, won't live up to our unearned reputation as the residents of the best place in the world for any kid. I'm afraid they'll be disappointed, or bored, or just wish they were somewhere else. By some miracle, that hasn't happened yet but it's always in the back of my mind.

So last Thursday Mr. Right and I tried to think of something to do with these wonderful grandchildren that would be in keeping with their expectations. He thought going to lunch would do the trick but I was looking for G rated movies at the IMAX and other activities more exciting than lunch. But there weren't any G movies and we couldn't think of any amazing activities.

They came at 6:45 a.m., ate the breakfast designed just for them, and entertained themselves for a few hours. We decided to go ahead with that lunch idea but enhanced it by meeting Aunt Beth at a restaurant that we'd all enjoy.

At lunch I suggested that maybe when we got back to Michigan City, we should take a walk at Striebel Pond and the kids seemed enthused. However, by the time we returned and I felt that cold wind and saw the temperature, I realized it wasn't such a great idea. But the kids weren't having any of my waffling. To my surprise, they were all about that walk. I really tried to get out of it by saying, "no, it's too cold, your jackets aren't warm enough, and I don't think Grandpa wants to". But the traitor said he did, they insisted they'd be warm and I realized it would be healthy for all of us. So we went.

And we had such a good time. It was chilly but the kids didn't seem to suffer unduly and we saw lots of interesting things. Best of all it was quality time spent with a couple of kids we just don't see enough of.

Of course, there was a price to pay because when we got home, Grandpa and I needed a nap - not just from the walk of course but from the previous late night and early morning. Fortunately, the kids were tolerant of our exhaustion and took our naps in stride.

And guess what? There was nothing special or spectacular that day. But, still, the kids loved being there. So, I guess, this grandparent thing comes with a gift enclosed. It's the gift of undeserved, unconditional love. And it just doesn't get any better than that.