Two

I love the antics and conversations of young children and I just had my “fix” this weekend. Children are such a joy and help bring my life and priorities back into focus. In addition, as Art Linkletter (an early television host for you younger folks) used to say on his program by the same name, “kids say the darndest things.” Recently I heard a quote from a young extended family member inquiring why a matriarch “didn’t just iron her hands because they were so wrinkled!” How do you respond to that?
It is so refreshing to be with young children who haven’t yet mastered the necessary social correctness. They can be amazingly perceptive and quite direct as noted above. In addition, they haven’t found it necessary to veil their feelings so I get “real time” input whether I am ready or not. Their inquiring minds are not hampered by such things as past experience and protocol.
I have two treasured grandsons that are utterly delightful. The oldest is “two going on adulthood” and I had the privilege this weekend for about twenty four hours to be with him on his home turf.
I learned so much. I saw the merits of patiently waiting your turn with a big piece of cardboard box to save you pants when it was finally your turn to descend the concrete blue slide in the park. Green sprinkles turn rich dark chocolate ice cream into not just an epicurean but a visual delight especially when it drips randomly. Imagination is so much more useful and interesting than what others term “reality” especially when there are two of you. There is so much more available in “big boy underwear” than just basic old folk’s “tidy whitey” and it is a treat to pick them out. Let’s see: Bob the builder, Buzz Light Year, Cars, Elmo, and many others. Still looking for fire truck underwear to complete his collection. Stories and blankets are a basic necessity of everyone’s lives that shouldn’t be neglected or overlooked. And, oh yes, young doctors can effectively use a drill to care for a foot that Grandpa didn’t even know hurt.
I could go on and on but I am sure this has resurrected some thoughts of your own that are even more precious to you. Perhaps one of my greatest delights, and I hope this doesn’t come off as too selfish, is to have someone, usually in this age range, sincerely really want to know about me and my thoughts. I am so used to being asked questions that are a bit superficial or that are just polite small talk that it is a bit awkward at first to give “real answers to real sincere questions.” To look into those innocent but inquiring big brown eyes and hear the next “Grandpa, what or why…” question and know he really wants to know is therapy beyond measure. Reminds me that I too have someone who delights in sharing His thoughts if I only take time to become childlike by asking and then sincerely appreciating what He shares.