Time out with the kids
Grandpas and grandmas can find it a challenge to get time with their grandchildren. Time and distance take a toll on how often and how deep their relationships can go. Our children’s families are not unlike many others. Their homes are not situated close to the farm. So we are faced with making the times we have together something special.
One way we have chosen to implement this task is by welcoming each grandchild to a “Week at the Farm.” Each one has a week alone with us. We work together, we play games together and we can talk with each other. We get to observe one another’s lives and learn together.
The eldest of our grandchildren are the beneficiaries of this practice. We bale hay and work in the garden among other things. Baking and washing dishes enters in the daily chores, too.
The younger set of the kids may not like the idea of staying here without their parents yet. When the family comes for a visit, we get a chance to be involved with the hubbub of raising the younger set of our offspring.
One morning, as I was doing my Bible reading, my bedroom door squeaked open and two beautiful brown eyes peaked through. My grandson’s voice reached out to me, “Good morning, Grandma.” I invited him in.
He hopped up onto my bed and we talked for a bit. He told me about his dream from the night before. Then his foot started to itch.
Grandma daubed his itch with juice she had made from some nearby Jewel Weed. Grandma’s cure worked for him and the itch left. Hurray for Grandma!
Later in the day, this youngster was joined by his two siblings. The three of them played with our three litters of kittens and our dog. They also peddled a toy tractor and spent time at the sandbox.
After supper, I took time to enjoy the lawn swing. (Our grandkids have a Ggrandma and grandpa that are real swingers.) The kids joined me.
As the evening wore on and the stillness of twilight set in, the birds chirped their good night messages to each other. Then the excitement began.
During the night before, we had a storm with thunder and lightning. I heard the youngest of the boys say his two year old lingo, “I ‘carood of light’ing.” Grandma agreed that one should be scared enough of lightning to respect it and get in the house when it happens.
I encouraged the boys to stay with me on the swing and watch for the lightning bugs to come out. Then I heard the little one inform me again, “I ‘carood of light’ing.” So I explained that this kind of “lightning” is not like the storm we experienced the night before. This lightning would be fun.
Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Auntie played catch with their baseball mitts and ball. We watched the play as the sun slowly went down. Then it happened.
Little twinkles of light appeared on our lawn and in the air. The boys were ecstatic. They squealed with delight, jumped up and down and pointed to each place where a lightning bug had blinked his light. The commotion from the spotting of lights reminded me of the excitement produced by fireworks.
It is just a little memory – this swinging with the boys. But in their memories they may recall the joy, the togetherness and the excitement of time together with Grandma. Little times with the children can be of big importance in the scheme of life.
Children and grandchildren are precious and worthwhile individuals. The Holy Bible states, “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.” Psalm 127:3-5a.
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