Wednesday, January 5, 2011

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.

2 comments:

  1. You are lucky and blessed. Your grandkids sound wonderful. Grandkids can always put a smile on your face.

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  2. Your grandkids do love you so so much. They talk about you all of the time. I was telling them about my Grandma (your Mom) the other day and how wonderful and sweet and nice she was and they said, "No wonder where Grandma gets it"...they think you are the best!

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