The Joy of Being A Grandparent

My sister Pat just returned from a holiday with her son and his family. Pat reported last night that it was simply the best holiday that she has ever had.

Two of her grandkids were a big part of that great holiday – Anna and Ethan. Together they traveled on a big ship around the waters of Florida.

While talking with Ethan she asked him a question. “When you grow up will you be like your daddy?” His answer was simple, “Nope I want to be a grandpa, because they have more fun.”

I think Ethan is the smartest child that I have heard of lately. My Great Nephew has the idea down perfectly. He must have had some great models. I know my sister is a great model – she simply loves to have fun. She is a fun grandma.

I guess we have that advantage as grandparents now – “love ‘em and then send them home.” Also – “spoil ‘em a little too…” doesn’t hurt either.

My personal theory is that they need to see the fun in me. They will wonder why I am so slow – but they don’t need to see or hear of all the “achy-breaky body stuff” inside me.

Flash Back…
My siblings, Pat and Glen, and me used to go “Frog hunting” with our Grandma Kirk. No one was better at “Frog hunting” than Grandma. I can’t remember when it started – but I remember her as the best!

The “Frog hunting” place was just a little ways down the hill from the farm house. On any warm summer’s day you could do “Frog hunting”.

Grandma was dressed in her loose fitting and light summer dress. We would be getting into mischief likely when she would say – “Come on its time to go “Frog hunting”.” With glee we followed her down the hill to the ‘Little Dam’ that was one of the main sources of water for the farm animals.

The ‘Little Dam’ was lower down the coulee from the ‘Big Dam’ – which held more water to the south. The ‘Big Dam’ emptied its over flow into the ‘Little Dam’. The ‘Little Dam’ was also shallower and not as wide with lots of bull rushes, and vegetation at the side of it. It was a perfect place for Frogs to hide.

As we walked down the hill towards the water our excitement grew. Mom had said that we couldn’t go near the water unless an adult was with us. Grandma was the oldest and most fun-est adult that we knew. She was the only one that took the time to show you how to hunt Frogs.

As we approached the water she cautioned us to slow down and be quiet. That was hard for my brother Glen and me. Pat had that part down better. About 15 feet away from the water’s edge grandma would take her shoes off and approach the hunting area bare foot. We waited on our spot.

The grass was deeper as she approached the water. Once in a while you could hear the sound of a frog calling his friends. Grandma would say, “Quiet or they will tell each other we are coming.”

Grandma began to move slowly through the grass toward an invisible creature. She slowed right down and then began bending over. We froze in our positions behind her waiting for that ‘special moment’.

Suddenly Grandma moved with lightening speed, swooping her hand into the grass at the water’s edge….and yelled loudly, “GOTCHA!”

We erupted with glee as she handed her first catch of the day into one of our waiting hands. The muddy hand of my Grandma deposited the new wiggling and jumping Frog into delighted young hands.

As we stood holding the new living treasure she was off to get some more. Quiet stalking, slow movements, calculated timing and – “GOTCHA!” produced another and another and another.

Grandma Kirk was the best Frog Hunter in the world. And she was the only Frog Hunting Grandma that I knew of… then and maybe even now.

The day was not complete until we had a try at our own Frog catching. I remember learning how to Quietly stalk, slow my movements, calculate my timing and – yell loudly “GOTCHA!” To which Grandma Kirk beamed with delight.

I learned that if you held the little guy by the leg you could rinse him off before putting him in your pocket. Grandma showed me how to do that – so we didn’t get our clothes too dirty for mom.

It is little wonder as I look back today – Grandma and Gandpa’s farm was the best place to visit – ever! (Please notice that Grandma’s name was first in that ownership description.)

Flip it over…
One of the reason it is so easy to have fun with your Grandkids is you don’t have to be who you aren’t. You can be you. You can be young again and do fun stuff that even your friends might frown at…like catching Frogs.

One day I remembered walking back up the hill to the farm house with Grandma. The three of us had our new treasures in our hands and pockets – frantically jumping frogs.

As we came up to the house we could see company had arrived. A man and his wife had come to see Grandma and Grandpa. Greetings were exchanged. Grandma wiped her wet hands on her apron. Her wet feet were quickly inserted into her old shoes when she heard the automobile pull up to the house.

I remember the woman being dressed like she would be on Sunday. I also remember the look on her face as the three of us told this nice lady that, “Our Grandma is the best Frog Catcher in the whole world!” The nice lady back away a little and refused our offer to hold our frogs.

Whoever she was – she wasn’t as much fun as Grandma Kirk. I wonder what she did with her grandkids?

I found this short writing about a Grandma… kind of fits my Grandma Kirk too…

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~

Things My Grandmother Taught Me

• My Grandmother taught me LOGIC..."If you fall off that swing and break your neck, you can't go to the store with me."
• My Grandmother taught me MEDICINE..."If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they're going to freeze that way."
• My Grandmother taught me TO THINK AHEAD..."If you don't pass your spelling test, you'll never get a good job!"
• My Grandmother taught me ESP..."Put your sweater on; don't you think that I know when you're cold?"
• My Grandmother taught me TO MEET A CHALLENGE..."What were you thinking? Answer me when I talk to you...Don't talk back to me!"
• My Grandmother taught me HUMOR..."When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
• My Grandmother taught me how to BECOME AN ADULT..."If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up.
• My Grandmother taught me ABOUT SEX..."How do you think you got here?"
• My Grandmother taught me about GENETICS..."You are just like your father!"
• My Grandmother taught me about my ROOTS..."Do you think you were born in a barn?"
• My Grandmother taught me about the WISDOM of AGE..."When you get to be my age, you will understand."
• My Grandmother taught me about ANTICIPATION..."Just wait until your father gets home."
• My Grandmother taught me about RECEIVING..."You are going to get it when we get home."
• And, my all-time favorite - JUSTICE..."One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like YOU -- then you'll see what it's like."

TADA - Today with this Post - it is Number 500 - the blog is just under two years old!