Precious Memories

The second day at the Christmas house I woke up frozen half to death. My body didn't have an area that didn't hurt - no, not one.

And I guess I was too sick to realize that I was probably having fever chills.

As soon as I got up, eleven-year-old Jeremy put a blanket around my shoulders and nine-year-old Jenna just couldn't quit worrying.

"Grandma, why are you so cold? Did Grandpa hog all the covers?" I don't care how sick you are. Questions like that make you smile.

"No" I replied. "He didn't."

"Then why are you so cold? I know. Did you leave your arms uncovered all night because I've done that".

"No, I didn't."

"Are your covers too skinny then?"

I'm smiling just thinking about it. What a great conversation.

I went to the doctor on Monday and I was gone a long time. I was told that the kids were concerned and had found an artificial flower to give me when I got home but when I arrived, it was nowhere to be seen.

The day before we left the Christmas house, four-year-old Mary said, "When you were at the doctor we had a flower for you but you were gone a long time and we lost it".

A short time later she found it - a rose with a stem about 1/4" long. She gave it to me proudly while proclaiming, "Grandma, I found it!"

And the other memory that warms the cockles of my heart? "Grandma" "Can I have a cookie? Can I have a banana? Look what I have, did, wrote, wrapped." "Grandma I love you. Are you feeling better? I don't like it when you're sick." How honored and happy I felt every time a grandchild said Grandma. I know it's remotely possible that some of them figured out that they might have a better chance for a positive response by saying Grandma instead of Mom and Dad but I don't care the reason. I just care that many, many grandchildren felt they could turn to me and loved me even when I wasn't at my best.

I am a lucky and blessed woman.