SuperGramma

One of the best things you can give to a child is the gift of a memory.  The memories you create when you’re with them and those that you share from your life. Grandkids especially love to hear stories about their parents when they were growing up.

When my youngest daughter was about four years old she wanted to have a garage sale. We set her up in our yard with a little table and she brought an assortment of toys and clothing that she’d gathered from around the house. Then daughter and a little friend of hers waited eagerly for customers. They waited and waited, but no one came. We could see the sadness creeping in to their adventure.

So my husband decided he would brighten daughter’s day and become her customer. He dressed up as an elderly lady, complete with wig and marched around the house to the garage sale table. Daughter didn’t recognize him and watched as he picked up first one item and then another. The strange lady tried things on, played with the toys, asked outrageous questions. When he finally chose his purchases and asked for just one shoe, daughter realized something wasn’t quite right. At that point she began looking more closely at her customer, who could hardly keep a straight face. I didn’t dare go out of the house I was laughing so hard.

Twenty-six years later, daughter still delights in that story. Next time you’re with your children or grandchildren, slow down for a minute. Ask yourself  if this is a chance to create a memory. Then go ahead and do it.

Technorati Tags: creating memories, times with children

Children and pets. They go together like peanut butter and jam. When our kids were small, we had almost every pet you could think of – except snakes. I even managed to live with a small lizard in my house and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be.

The down side of pet ownership is the fact that small animals and birds don’t always live long. At least in our house they didn’t. We had exotic fish that were eaten by a pet turtle. Lesson learned not to put them in the same tank. Gerbils that ate their young unless we moved them out quickly. A rabbit who died of old age, a little ornery by then. A dog who was hit by a car. Birds that lost their feathers and wasted away. And a guinea pig that in spite of much attention from the local vet, still died.

Grandson, now just turned five, loves birds. His first one was a little finch that he talked to, showed all his new toys, and shared secrets with. But one day when he came home from school, his beloved Abu was lying on the bottom of his cage. A budgie named Flyer took his place and although apt to nip at Grandson, he was still a favourite. For some reason, Flyer didn’t live long either.

There weren’t as many tears the second time, but Grandson still gets teary when he talks about his birds. He can show you where they’re buried in the yard and asks if they are in heaven now. He’d like to get another pet and is thinking maybe he should have some fish. Then every so often, we’ll see a robin or a morning dove outside the window and in a little voice he’ll say “But I really want to have a bird. Why do they have to die?”

Children and pets. They belong together. And it breaks your heart when the bond between them is broken.

Technorati Tags: death of a pet, children and pets

These days, while watching my two grandchildren during the day, I am learning a lot of lessons from them.

I’m learning persistence from four-year-old grandson. Each day he tries to throw his hat on our coat rack. Since he is aiming for the highest hook, that’s not an easy task. Sometimes it takes him fifteen minutes or more before he can do it. But he refuses to give up. Landing on the middle hook isn’t good enough either. He tries until he accomplishes what he’s after. I would do well to model that behaviour.

Grandbaby is teaching me the value of practice. She will climb up and down her highchair until she has mastered the climb. Once that’s mastered, she’ll add other skills, such as standing up when she reaches the top. The word ‘fear’ isn’t in her vocabulary, nor is ‘impossible’. Regardless of the task, she practices until it becomes easy for her.

Now excuse me while I go and practice my cooking. I am being persistent because at my age you would think I didn’t need any more practice. Unfortunately, I do.

I was going through some old files of mine and came across a little poem I wrote in 1995 – And yes, I have three boys who are two years apart. The format is actually four lines per stanza, but for the sake of space, I’ve made it into two. I hope you enjoy it and feel free to pass it on as long as the copyright information is with it.

Long ago and far away, In a land I’ve never been,
There lived a great, big, family. The worst I’ve ever seen.

They never could be quiet, They never could be sweet.
Their house was always messy. It wasn’t ever neat.

The boys were always fighting. They’d wrestle and they’d punch.
Their mom was always yelling. I’d hate to go for lunch.

At breakfast it was chaos. At lunch and bedtime too.
Their mother was beside herself. She didn’t know what to do.

No matter how mom threatened, No matter how mom cried.
They would not stop their foolishness, No matter what mom tried.

They seemed to like to argue, They seemed to like to fight;
No matter how she pleaded And said it was not right!

Those boys were in one family. Their mom and dad the same.
To see them always fighting Was really quite a shame.

“To bed” their mom would tell them. “I’ve had enough today.
Or read or play piano, Or go outside and stay!”

“That’s boring” they would answer. “There’s nothing here to do.
What will we have for supper? It better not be stew!”

“But stew is very yummy” Their mom said with a grin.
“There’s lots of good old gravy To dip your bread right in.”

“I can’t cook all the things you like With all this noise around,
But I could make a restaurant meal If you wouldn’t make a sound.”

Those boys were really hungry. They didn’t want the stew.
By the way their mother acted, There was just one thing to do.

Tom went over to his brother, And he whispered in his ear,
“Hey Bob, I know what we can do, So lets get out of here.”

Now the house is very quiet; The brothers get along.
You want to know their secret? They turned the TV on!

© Carol Bremner