On the Lighter Side of Grandparenting
On the lighter side of grand-parenting there is so much to learn. There are giggles and full belly laughter. There are interventions in small wars where ‘age related hurt’ is controlling the atmosphere. The fact that you move from a “UN negotiator” to a story teller in two short minutes is nothing. Tense moments to delightful laughter in a few short minutes…is the world of grandsons.
Today we complete one week of School Break holidays with four grandsons. It has been so much fun. But “Yes – we need a break.” – You guessed correctly.
Let me share some delightful moments with you.
Tim Horton’s Coffee Shop…
It was one day last week that it made prefect sense to take a break. Tim Horton’s coffee shop was near by and we needed a break. So off we went to look for a box of ‘Tim Bits’ – a small, round, sweet treat with a drink… and grandpa with a coffee. The box of 40 Tim Bits disappeared quickly.
Thomas, the number 2 grandson, looked up and steadily around the small coffee shop. He grinned at me and stated clearly for many to hear… “Grandpa, there is only ‘old people’ in this place! Wow!”
You would think we had entered a Museum or something – a place where great dinosaur bones are mounted for all to see.
“You’re right Thomas…nothing but ‘old’ people.” I wanted to say that this is where ‘old people’ retreat from noise and hustle when the grandkids are staying for School Break…but I didn’t. We did get some funny looks from some ‘old people’ sitting at the different tables.
Around Our Table…
The Evening meal was the most fun each night. There were about 12 each night for dinner. The room was noisy and full of fun. The air over the table was filled with recycled riddles and story after story. Giggles and laughter – the ‘GL Factor’ filled our minds with memories of School Break 2008.
Each grandson was given the same seat each night. At the far end of the table near the corner sat Great Grandma Lincoln – 87 years young. Beside her, on her right, was her first Great Grandson, Clifford – now turning 13 years old. His voice is changing and he is animated with his story telling. He is quick and sharp. When the jousting verbally ramps up he gets louder and louder. On one outburst he was fully engaged to win a place for his story.
Great Grandma Lincoln turned to Clifford and asked a simple question, “Did you come with a ‘volume control’ or something?” To which we all erupted in laughter. Clifford grinned from ear to ear. Great Grandma has new hearing aids and they caught it all.
Last evening…
Sitting around the dinning room table again…laughter, giggles and the ‘GL Factor’ was there again.
Michael, number 3 grandson, was getting out of line. He is full of energy and also known as the instigator/agitator at times. His older brother, Jonathan – number 1 grandson, gave him a dire warning….
“Michael, you’d better be good. If something happens to me…you will have to look after Grandpa and Grandma Lincoln, Dad and Mom, Uncle Bruce and Aunt Dana, and Great Grandma Lincoln if she is still alive…”
His pronounced warning was to get Michael in shape. As the oldest he knows his responsibility load already – and was going to pass it on to his brother as a threat.
Someone realized what he had profoundly stated. They asked, “What about Great Grandma Barnes?” He quickly stated, “Oh she will be dead by then.”
Great Grandma Lincoln almost rolled off her seat with laughter. I am not sure if the thought that grabbed her the most was… ‘Jonathan had thought of her as much younger than Great Grandma Barnes’, or that ‘Great Grandma Lincoln was now a fixture in the family – and she would not likely die at all’.
Great Grandma Barnes, their other Great Grandma in his life, is now in her 101st year and still going strong. The boys have always known her as the ‘fixture of the family’. But Jonathan has come to grips with the fact that she will go soon…or someday….or…
So what is the point today?
‘Grandparenting’ will keep you young – for a long, long time. It is good to be with the kids – but not try to keep up with the kids. Keeping up will kill you – dead.
This week the love that I experienced at each of their births was brought back again. What an amazing bunch.
Well I have to run again…two more litres of milk are ready to be poured, eight or ten eggs need to be cooked and we are on the run again.
One simple thought…God loves Grandparents…and gives them rest.
~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~
Today we complete one week of School Break holidays with four grandsons. It has been so much fun. But “Yes – we need a break.” – You guessed correctly.
Let me share some delightful moments with you.
Tim Horton’s Coffee Shop…
It was one day last week that it made prefect sense to take a break. Tim Horton’s coffee shop was near by and we needed a break. So off we went to look for a box of ‘Tim Bits’ – a small, round, sweet treat with a drink… and grandpa with a coffee. The box of 40 Tim Bits disappeared quickly.
Thomas, the number 2 grandson, looked up and steadily around the small coffee shop. He grinned at me and stated clearly for many to hear… “Grandpa, there is only ‘old people’ in this place! Wow!”
You would think we had entered a Museum or something – a place where great dinosaur bones are mounted for all to see.
“You’re right Thomas…nothing but ‘old’ people.” I wanted to say that this is where ‘old people’ retreat from noise and hustle when the grandkids are staying for School Break…but I didn’t. We did get some funny looks from some ‘old people’ sitting at the different tables.
Around Our Table…
The Evening meal was the most fun each night. There were about 12 each night for dinner. The room was noisy and full of fun. The air over the table was filled with recycled riddles and story after story. Giggles and laughter – the ‘GL Factor’ filled our minds with memories of School Break 2008.
Each grandson was given the same seat each night. At the far end of the table near the corner sat Great Grandma Lincoln – 87 years young. Beside her, on her right, was her first Great Grandson, Clifford – now turning 13 years old. His voice is changing and he is animated with his story telling. He is quick and sharp. When the jousting verbally ramps up he gets louder and louder. On one outburst he was fully engaged to win a place for his story.
Great Grandma Lincoln turned to Clifford and asked a simple question, “Did you come with a ‘volume control’ or something?” To which we all erupted in laughter. Clifford grinned from ear to ear. Great Grandma has new hearing aids and they caught it all.
Last evening…
Sitting around the dinning room table again…laughter, giggles and the ‘GL Factor’ was there again.
Michael, number 3 grandson, was getting out of line. He is full of energy and also known as the instigator/agitator at times. His older brother, Jonathan – number 1 grandson, gave him a dire warning….
“Michael, you’d better be good. If something happens to me…you will have to look after Grandpa and Grandma Lincoln, Dad and Mom, Uncle Bruce and Aunt Dana, and Great Grandma Lincoln if she is still alive…”
His pronounced warning was to get Michael in shape. As the oldest he knows his responsibility load already – and was going to pass it on to his brother as a threat.
Someone realized what he had profoundly stated. They asked, “What about Great Grandma Barnes?” He quickly stated, “Oh she will be dead by then.”
Great Grandma Lincoln almost rolled off her seat with laughter. I am not sure if the thought that grabbed her the most was… ‘Jonathan had thought of her as much younger than Great Grandma Barnes’, or that ‘Great Grandma Lincoln was now a fixture in the family – and she would not likely die at all’.
Great Grandma Barnes, their other Great Grandma in his life, is now in her 101st year and still going strong. The boys have always known her as the ‘fixture of the family’. But Jonathan has come to grips with the fact that she will go soon…or someday….or…
So what is the point today?
‘Grandparenting’ will keep you young – for a long, long time. It is good to be with the kids – but not try to keep up with the kids. Keeping up will kill you – dead.
This week the love that I experienced at each of their births was brought back again. What an amazing bunch.
Well I have to run again…two more litres of milk are ready to be poured, eight or ten eggs need to be cooked and we are on the run again.
One simple thought…God loves Grandparents…and gives them rest.
~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~
posted by Murray Lincoln at
Friday, March 14, 2008
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