Tuesday, January 24, 2012

A simple question

Having children in your life can bring some really hillarious moments. Children are so innocent, and have great curiosity- and want to know everything. When the subject is rather taboo, they still want to know but most children just ask. I had an experience today that will forever stay in my mind as an example of innocent knowlege questing.
This afternoon, my 5 yo granddaughter was in the room as I was changing Little Joe. I have never hid the fact from her that he is a boy, and she had often been with me when I was changing him. I was in a bit of a hurry, and just whipped off his diaper, wiped him down and put on a new diaper, all the while talking to her about what, I can't remember. I tucked Little Joe in my arm and gave him a bottle, and out of the blue my granddaughter said, "Nana, what do you do when a boy gets on you?" WHAT? Keeping my expression as bland as possible, I gently asked her to repeat the question, and she did. Well, lets see, what do you do when a boy gets on you? My heart was racing but my mind was racing faster as I thought of a way to handle this question. Very calmly I asked her to tell me why she wanted to know. I had all sorts of horrible thoughts going through my mind, and this precious innocent could not possibly have experienced any of them. Even though I tried to hide my concern, she must have sensed something. She began to say, "well, you know, when you change him and he gets on you" but in a slightly worried tone. Suddenly the sun broke out, and my relief was immense. I asked her, "do you mean when I change Little Joe and he tinkles on me?" "Yes Nana, when he gets on you, like he tinkled on Aunt Pnut one time. What do you do?" I laughed right out loud, and gave her such a hug! "Well, I try not to give him a chance to tinkle on me, but he is very little and he doesn't know to hold it. He just goes when he is ready, and Nana always makes sure that he is covered up" I said. She told me that I should have a towel ready just in case, and I laughingly agreed with her.
The preciousness of children! I guess I should try to listen more carefully and not assume the worst. I have been laughing to myself all evening as I remember how I felt when she asked the question and then how relieved I was when she explained it to me. How incredibly funny!
Other than that, after Martin went to work, I did what I could to straighten the house and take care of Little Joe. It occurred to me that the other grandchildren are so very patient when it comes to Little Joe, we don't go to the park as much, and I give him much more attention, but they don't seem to resent it, indeed, they pitch in and help me with him. I thought that my grandchildren needed something special. I put Little Joe in the high chair and turned on the oven. I made a batch of sugar cookies, put round balls of dough on the cookie pan, inserted popscicle sticks in each dough ball and flattened the dough. I baked the cookies into "cookie pops" and let them cool. I then frosted them, and sprinkled each one with sprinkles. They were so pretty, and when the little ones got off the bus, I told them to hurry, as I had a surprise for them. The cookie pops were on the kitchen table on foil, laid out in a neat row. I could hear the children squeal when they saw them, and I knew I had hit a home run! We each had a cookie pop and talked about the day, and then we went outside to the front yard with Little Joe. I put him in his saucer toy, and the other three played on the front lawn. I crocheted while I sat there with the baby, and every time a car went by, they would honk or wave or both. I didn't even know some of those people, but then I realized what a scene we must make. Big, chubby granny watching bouncing baby boy, crocheting while the other kids ran and played. I would have waved too- how lovely we must have looked.
It is these moments that help me be happy and joyous in the midst of our current difficulties. I can do this everyday if I want. The cookie ingredients came from my food storage, and the playing and happiness just came naturally. There was a time when I thought that if I didn't take the kids to McDonalds, I was letting them down. How silly of me. I am so happy that we can find joy in the simple things. I bet my grandchildren are the only ones in Seabrook that got cookie pops today. I look forward to getting to do it all again tomorrow, well maybe not cookie pops, but something yummy after school. How fortunate I am that we are facing our trials. Because of this, I am continuing to discover who I am, how strong I am, and how much I enjoy this blessed life of mine!

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