Children

Mr. Ryan: Will you stay with me in the dark, Gram?

Me: Sure, I'll stay for a few minutes while you fall asleep.

Mr. Ryan: Okay, let's talk.

Me: Okay, what shall we talk about?

Mr. Ryan: Oh! You decide, Gram.

Me: Okay, let's talk about what we'll do tomorrow.

Mr. Ryan: That's good.

Me: I could make pancakes for breakfast.

Mr. Ryan: That's not playing.

Me: Oh, we should talk about what we'll play.

Mr. Ryan: Yes, Gram, that's good to talk about.

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These days I did not expect to have children front and center in my life. I have loved my daughter Jessica for thirty plus years now, and then, now, and always I would die for her, no questions asked.

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I have two grandchildren, Mr. Ryan, age 3, and Drew (Drewbie), age 19 months. I also have children clients: ages 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 14, 17, & 18.

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I like kids, always have, but I did not expect to ENJOY them so much. I am sitting on the floor, moving blocks and wooden circles around, looking for hidden pictures, coloring Thomas and Henry (trains) and I am sure I am a grown up kids like to be with.

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For one thing, I have genuine respect. And I listen. And I don't mind being silly.

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So today JB and I picked up Mr. Ryan and little Mr. Drew and we headed for the Ashfield Fair.

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It is fall in New England and where I live is quite beautiful this time of year. Slightly north of me there are about ten small towns called the 'hilltowns', and each has its own autumn fair. Ashfield is the best.
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We ate cupcakes, sat in a firetruck, an ambulance, and one some-kind-of fire motorcycle, painted pumpkins, found a giant green balloon, used the port-o-potty, ran in a field, found mushrooms that looked like poo, visited chickens and goats, ate pasta and salad and cookies, stacked blocks, cleverly conquered one puzzle twice, watched Scooby Do, brushed teeth, & snuggled in pajamas.

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These boys run to JB and me when they see us. They love being at our house. They have their own books in the lowest bookshelf in the living room and they have their own flashlights and keys and locks and stackable boxes and wiry thing-a-ma-gings.

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We live almost two hours apart. That means I am not a Grandmother who can quickly slide into help mode when there are late nights at work or run of the mill colds and fevers. I try hard to juggle and prioritize so I am there for Jess and Mike and Ryan and Drew when needed, but I am not a Grandmother whose second career is caring for her grandchildren.

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But. I am a good Grandmother, and I am good with children. I've found it's so easy to love children, to learn from them, to want to show them the wonders of the world, to be willing to giggle at the best and the right times.

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Right now they are sleeping like angels.

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I just love that.