Several years ago, when my oldest grandson, Ben, was very attached to his Papa and me, he would get upset when it was time for him to leave our house to go home. He would get put into his parent's car screaming and crying. After he was secured into his car seat, and I had given him hugs and kisses & assured him that I would see him the next day, he would sniffle and say, "GrandMartha, wave me at the street." I would stand in the driveway and wave to him until his little face in the car window had disappeared down the street. I guess in his mind, it prolonged his face-to-face time with me just as long as possible. As he repeated that request, "Wave me at the street" time and time again, it became a sort of ritual.
Over the next few years, as Ben has grown to a great big boy of now six years old, he no longer (or least very rarely) gets upset when it's time to leave our house. But our ritual has remained. Ben's little brother, Will, picked up on the phrase pretty quickly when he started talking. So when it's time to leave, both boys have to say, "Wave me at the street!" And it not only is mandatory when they leave our house, it has become a routine if others are leaving our house, or when Papa and I leave their house. Someone from one of the families will say, "Wave me at the street." When our twin granddaughters, Ben and Will's cousins Carolann and Adeline, have been over for a visit and it's time for them to go, the boys will tell the girls, "Wave me at the street!" And the girls happily comply, putting down their car windows to giggle and wave and call out goodbyes.
In a few days, Terry will be officially retired from full-time ministry. We have been packing up the parsonage for the move. It's been both physically and emotionally tiring. We've been building a new house & have gone through all the decision-making and setbacks that can be part of that process. We've also been trying to decide what to do with all the books that he's used during over 20 years of ministry, and what to do with all the odds and ends of furniture that we've acquired over the years of living in various parsonages that won't fit in our new smaller home. We are both very eager to have this physical part of the move behind us.
The emotional part of our transition will not be any easier than the physical toil of our move. Saying goodbye to a church family and friends that we love is going to be quite difficult. It's begun already, as I've felt little pangs of sadness & find myself fighting the tears as I look out at the congregation from the choir loft & see faces of wonderful friends.
But we won't be leaving Shreveport. We're not moving a long distance away. And we're sure to see and to hear from our church friends fairly often, even if it's just running into one another at Kroger or Target. So when it's time to officially say goodbye on June 23, we won't have the feelings that Ben used to have when he was so small that he would miss us terribly and cry out to us so sadly. So if on Sunday you don't want to say goodbye (I know I don't!) join with us in our new family ritual of reassurance that we love each other and we'll be seeing each other again very soon:
"Wave me at the street!"
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Requiem for Norton
Requiem for Norton
 |
| R.W. Norton Art Gallery |
The lead story on yesterday's local news was one that really made an impact
on me. They were reporting that the
Norton Art Gallery of Shreveport has posted new rules for photography. Effective immediately there will no longer be
any professional photography allowed on their grounds. My first thought was to wonder what had
happened that would have caused them to make that decision. My second thought was to be relieved that
this new ruling would not affect me. I
do take a lot of photographs, but I’m an amateur who just shoots pictures of
family members. But when I went to
the Norton website to read the new rules for myself, I quickly realized that
the rules would affect me, too. As soon
as a new fence that is being built is complete, there will no longer be any
photography allowed at all at their grounds.
 |
| Ben's first family portrait at Norton in 2007 |
I
started feeling so sad. Some people have
commented on Facebook that taking pictures at Norton, especially during azalea
season, has become such a tradition. And
it has. That is so true for our
family. As I sit typing this in my
living room, I can count twelve (really twelve!) framed portraits that have all
been taken at the Norton Art Gallery over just the past 5 years. A couple of them were taken by professionals
that the kids have given to us. But most
of them are pictures that I’ve taken of my grandchildren, and each one brings
back a memory of a time spent with them out in the gardens, enjoying the beauty
of nature and each other’s company, as we recorded our memories. There are pictures of Ben and Will this last
fall in front of a beautiful red-leaved tree, and pictures of Carolann and
Adeline last summer when the hydrangeas were in full bloom.
 |
| Adeline & Carolann at Norton Summer 2012 |
There’s a sweet snapshot of the boys about two
years ago that I took when I sneaked them out to the Norton to take a picture to
give to Molly as a Mother’s Day surprise.
Possibly my favorite (if it’s possible to pick from among all these!) is
a portrait I took of Ben in front of the azaleas when he was about 10 months
old, sitting in a white wicker rocker.
It was printed beautifully on canvas by Dee’s Photo… a picture printed
by a Shreveport photo lab that no longer exists of a location that
Shreveporters will soon no longer be able to photograph. (Sigh.)
 |
| Ben's first Easter portrait 2008 |
Oh,
I know I’ll keep taking pictures of our kids and grandkids, in our backyards,
at the pumpkin patch in the fall, at the lake or the beach in summertime or
around the Christmas tree. But I guess
those beautiful portraits in front of Norton’s azaleas, hydrangeas & water features will sadly no longer be part
of our family’s traditions.
 |
| My parents with grandsons Jack & Finn 2011 |
I
have read that Norton's owners made their decision due to the fact that some
people who have gone there to take pictures have been destructive (as in spray
painting on a building) or at least negligent in leaving messes on the
property. It really is a shame if that’s
the case. That’s the way it is so
often…that a few bad apples ruin a good thing for everyone.
Maybe the decision to not allow even amateur family photographs at Norton will be reconsidered by the owners. I hope that's the case. I so want to keep creating memories like these in this beautiful location for years to come.
 |
| Ben & Will Easter 2012 |
Friday, December 21, 2012
Bittersweet Christmas
I have never celebrated a Christmas season in which I didn't put up a Christmas tree. Never. Sometimes I've been late putting one up. Or sometimes I haven't decorated as ornately as other years. But, I've always put the tree up. But somehow I knew, right around the week before Thanksgiving, that I wasn't going to do that this year. I've been incredibly busy, yes, but I've been this busy (or busier!) in years before. But the year that's just past has been very difficult. The heartache that members of my extended family have gone through this year has just left me without much enthusiasm for decorating.
And now, even the sweetest holiday moments have been tinged with sadness.
Last Friday morning, we sat in the big sanctuary to watch Will's daycare class in a Christmas program. He & his 3 year old class sang Christmas Bells, and the song that always makes me tear up when I hear the children sing it: Happy Birthday Jesus. The 4 year old class had a bigger production that told the whole story of Jesus' birth, with an emphasis on the message that the angels told everyone from Mary to Joseph to the shepherds....Be Not Afraid! With their hands on their hips & little fingers wagging in the air, they sang out loud, "Fear not! Feat not! Don't be scared!!" It was a wonderful production that these children had been taught with love by their dedicated teachers. After it was over, it was still several hours before I turned on the TV. It was only then that I heard the news. That morning, about the same time that kids in Bossier City were singing "Fear Not!" another group of children, barely older than them, in a small town in Connecticut, were enduring a nightmare.
Ever since, I keep thinking about the feelings that the parents, grandparents, siblings, and all the families and friends of all those killed must be going through. I don't know how you survive that kind of pain. God's grace is the only thing to explain how you can.
Monday morning I got the news of another death. A dear friend of mine and former co-worker lost her daughter-in-law in a car wreck on Saturday. She was driving over the Mississippi River bridge that links Natchez, MS to Louisiana. She was only 36. My friend, her family, and most especially, her son (the young woman's husband) are grieving greatly right now. More people who are weighing heavily on my heart.
A few weeks ago, Ben's teacher had sent home a request that any of her kindergartner's family members were invited to come to class to read a Christmas book to the kids during this last week before the Christmas break begins. I signed up right away. When I arrived at the small neighborhood school, I noticed that there were a few changes made since the week before. There was a man stationed outside. He requested that I sign in at the office before proceeding to Ben's classroom. I know it's always been policy, but not always strictly adhered to. Wearing my visitor's badge, I left the office & went to the classroom to find that the door was locked. More safety precautions. Another reminder.
So I sat down in front of the children, around 20 of them. They sat on the carpet & after the teacher introduced me as "Ben's GrandMartha" they listened to me read. I had time for 3 books. I read A Wish to be A Christmas Tree, Room for a Little One, and Song of the Stars. The children were so well-behaved (thanks to the most dedicated, loving wonderful teacher you could ever imagine!) What a blessing it was for me! I thought about that other group of about 20 kids, of the same ages, sharing many of the same names (most especially, Benjamin) who will not be in their school or with their families celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah this year. But I kept my mind on the words I read and the kids in front of me & got through it. I had wondered about whether it was okay to read a Christian book. The teacher told me that she can't read a book about Jesus at Christmas, but that those coming in to read can. The children ooohed over the beautiful picture of Baby Jesus at the end of Song of the Stars.
Today, when I went back to the school to pick up Ben, as I do every day, there were changes I noticed from the carpool lane. There was a woman wearing a shirt that said SECURITY in large letters on her back. As far as I could tell she was armed only with a walkie talkie. And there was one of the Watch D.O.G.S. there. (Dads of Great Students, who are dads and granddads who take turns keeping watch outside.) School is going to go on in Shreveport. In America. We make changes, we give extra hugs and say extra prayers.
We'll celebrate Christmas this year. Even if I didn't put up my tree. It will be bittersweet because of all the hurting that I know so many are going to be going through this year. But in my heart I'll think of the children singing:
Happy Birthday Jesus
I'm so glad it's Christmas
All the tinsel and lights
and the presents are nice.
But the Real Gift is You.
Merry Christmas to All my Friends and Family
And now, even the sweetest holiday moments have been tinged with sadness.
Last Friday morning, we sat in the big sanctuary to watch Will's daycare class in a Christmas program. He & his 3 year old class sang Christmas Bells, and the song that always makes me tear up when I hear the children sing it: Happy Birthday Jesus. The 4 year old class had a bigger production that told the whole story of Jesus' birth, with an emphasis on the message that the angels told everyone from Mary to Joseph to the shepherds....Be Not Afraid! With their hands on their hips & little fingers wagging in the air, they sang out loud, "Fear not! Feat not! Don't be scared!!" It was a wonderful production that these children had been taught with love by their dedicated teachers. After it was over, it was still several hours before I turned on the TV. It was only then that I heard the news. That morning, about the same time that kids in Bossier City were singing "Fear Not!" another group of children, barely older than them, in a small town in Connecticut, were enduring a nightmare.
Ever since, I keep thinking about the feelings that the parents, grandparents, siblings, and all the families and friends of all those killed must be going through. I don't know how you survive that kind of pain. God's grace is the only thing to explain how you can.
Monday morning I got the news of another death. A dear friend of mine and former co-worker lost her daughter-in-law in a car wreck on Saturday. She was driving over the Mississippi River bridge that links Natchez, MS to Louisiana. She was only 36. My friend, her family, and most especially, her son (the young woman's husband) are grieving greatly right now. More people who are weighing heavily on my heart.
A few weeks ago, Ben's teacher had sent home a request that any of her kindergartner's family members were invited to come to class to read a Christmas book to the kids during this last week before the Christmas break begins. I signed up right away. When I arrived at the small neighborhood school, I noticed that there were a few changes made since the week before. There was a man stationed outside. He requested that I sign in at the office before proceeding to Ben's classroom. I know it's always been policy, but not always strictly adhered to. Wearing my visitor's badge, I left the office & went to the classroom to find that the door was locked. More safety precautions. Another reminder.
So I sat down in front of the children, around 20 of them. They sat on the carpet & after the teacher introduced me as "Ben's GrandMartha" they listened to me read. I had time for 3 books. I read A Wish to be A Christmas Tree, Room for a Little One, and Song of the Stars. The children were so well-behaved (thanks to the most dedicated, loving wonderful teacher you could ever imagine!) What a blessing it was for me! I thought about that other group of about 20 kids, of the same ages, sharing many of the same names (most especially, Benjamin) who will not be in their school or with their families celebrating Christmas or Hanukkah this year. But I kept my mind on the words I read and the kids in front of me & got through it. I had wondered about whether it was okay to read a Christian book. The teacher told me that she can't read a book about Jesus at Christmas, but that those coming in to read can. The children ooohed over the beautiful picture of Baby Jesus at the end of Song of the Stars.
Today, when I went back to the school to pick up Ben, as I do every day, there were changes I noticed from the carpool lane. There was a woman wearing a shirt that said SECURITY in large letters on her back. As far as I could tell she was armed only with a walkie talkie. And there was one of the Watch D.O.G.S. there. (Dads of Great Students, who are dads and granddads who take turns keeping watch outside.) School is going to go on in Shreveport. In America. We make changes, we give extra hugs and say extra prayers.
We'll celebrate Christmas this year. Even if I didn't put up my tree. It will be bittersweet because of all the hurting that I know so many are going to be going through this year. But in my heart I'll think of the children singing:
Happy Birthday Jesus
I'm so glad it's Christmas
All the tinsel and lights
and the presents are nice.
But the Real Gift is You.
Merry Christmas to All my Friends and Family
Sunday, August 12, 2012
The Light Between Oceans
I finished a novel yesterday entitled The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman. It is such a wonderful beautiful book I just had to write about it. Surely this book will be a movie in the not too distant future, if other people find it as intriguing and sweet and thought-provoking as I did.
The book centers around Tom & Isabel. It tells of Tom's return from WW I, and his job as keeper of a lighthouse just off the Australian coast. I love all the details the author gives of time & tide & stars & what life is like on a lonely island as a lighthouse keeper. After Tom & Isabel marry they live on the island together & are so happy. One day a small boat washes up containing the body of a dead man & a small crying baby. The decisions Tom & Isabel make from that day forward and the reasons for those decisions and the repercussions in the lives of so many other people are told through the rest of the book...and told in such a beautiful way.
The book centers around Tom & Isabel. It tells of Tom's return from WW I, and his job as keeper of a lighthouse just off the Australian coast. I love all the details the author gives of time & tide & stars & what life is like on a lonely island as a lighthouse keeper. After Tom & Isabel marry they live on the island together & are so happy. One day a small boat washes up containing the body of a dead man & a small crying baby. The decisions Tom & Isabel make from that day forward and the reasons for those decisions and the repercussions in the lives of so many other people are told through the rest of the book...and told in such a beautiful way.
The joy and heartbreaks of parenthood, love, war, birth, death, consequences, the vastness of sky & ocean, & above all, forgiveness are some of the themes that kept me drawn into this book. The book is fictional, but all of the heartbreaks & beauty of life that it portrays are all too real.
If you are looking for a book to read, I highly recommend this one. If you read it, let me know if you liked it...and if you, too, cried at the end.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Lessons from a Line (or How I Got to Hold an Oscar)
When I learned that local author William Joyce would be signing copies of his latest book at Barnes & Noble, I decided that I would like to buy some for my grandchildren. Because Joyce & his talented colleagues at Moonbot Studios had won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film this past year, I realized that there might be a fair amount of people wanting to buy this book & to get Joyce's signature. "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore" is a beautiful book, a must-have for people who love books & words & stories & want to pass that love along to another generation.
Almost 20 years ago, I went to the recently-closed tiny Tower Books on Line Avenue to have Bill Joyce sign another beautiful book, "Santa Calls". I don't remember having to stand in much of a line at that time. I was prepared for a longer line this time, of course, but not this much longer! The signing was scheduled to begin at 6PM. Having bought my books earlier in the day, I knew I wouldn't have to stand on line for that part, so I thought that maybe arriving at 5:30 would be sufficient... maybe not to be first or second, but at least pretty near the front of the line. I was so wrong!
When I found the back of the line, I couldn't tell where the front of the line was. After much tip-toeing & neck craning, I could tell that the signing table was at the Pooh's Corner end of the children's area. The line made a huge circle around the whole circumference of the children's section, then exited there to start down the wall outside it. That was the point where I found myself just a bit after 5:30. People kept filing in behind me at a quick pace, all the way down that wall to the bathrooms in the far corner, then turning that corner. I heard talk that the line by 6:00 was back to the drink & food area near the front. New people regularly walked up to where we were near the entrance to the children's area, then would turn their heads to the right . When they realized that they couldn't see the line's end from there, they all shared the same look of disappointment & dread. But I doubt many of them left because that long line continued to grow. People who were on line in twos or threes had the luxury of spelling one another. The teenage girl who was directly in front of me with her Dad walked to the front of the line & came back with a head count. She declared that there were approximately 80 people ahead of us.
I was so disappointed that I hadn't brought along the latest book I'm reading so that I could occupy my time. But for the next 120 minutes I looked at the books around me & listened to conversations. Here's a list of some of what I learned:
1. There are a huge amount of workbooks available for children of all ages to learn or to brush up on their reading & math skills. Since the longest I stood in one place was directly by this shelf, I stared at those titles & thumbed through some, for a long time.
2. There is a Glee Yearbook in the Teen Section. It contains more beautiful pictures of more beautiful people than you would see in most yearbooks. No acne & unfortunate haircuts here!
3. Percy Jackson & the Lightening Thief is a fantastic book but a disappointing movie. Teen Girl and her dad struck up extensive conversations with Tween Sophie & her mom during our stint online. They were concerned that those who saw the movie but didn't read the book would miss out on reading it and the rest of a wonderful series. They wondered if the author really consented to the drastic differences in the movie.
4. The Giver is a great book that can spur exciting class discussions. I haven't read this book, but as our group passed by the shelf it was on, Teen Girl commented about it.
5. You can't use a Starbucks giftcard for a Starbuck's drink at Barnes & Noble. Tween Sophie had been gone awhile to get some refreshment for herself & her mom, armed only with the giftcard her mom handed her. She returned disappointed after having stood in that line, only to find out this fact. Having no cash on her, she returned empty-handed. Sorry, Sophie!
6. Barnes & Noble employees check on the people in line. Every 30 minutes or so, someone with a name tag would walk by, asking people if they were okay & reminding them not to "lock their knees".
7. The Tim Burton movie "Dark Shadows" should have been & might possibly be rated R. Sophie's mom took the kids to see it on vacation, where it was rated PG-13, & said they were bothered by what they considered R-rated material. When they came home she said that she noticed it was rated R here. I didn't see it, so can't comment on that.
8. There's an app for that!! Fantastic Flying Books director Brandon Oldenburg was there among the crowd. He was demonstrating the I-Pad app for the book. If you aimed your I-pad at pages in the book, it would come to life on your screen. So cool! Wish I had an I-pad...
9. An Oscar is heavy!! During glimpses of the signing table on my circumnavigating of the children's section, I could see that the Oscar was there on the signing table with William Joyce & Joe Bluhm (his co-illustrator of the book.) Occasionally I would notice someone picking it up. When Husband texted me that he was done with his meeting & was now home, I texted back my request that he come to Barnes & Noble & bring my camera. As we approached the table, the next half dozen or so people had only commented on the Oscar & not touched it. But I wasn't about to be apprehensive about it. I told Mr. Joyce how beautiful I thought the book was & thanked them for being there. Then I said, "Haven't I seen other people picking up your Oscar?" They laughed at me & said that was a different approach. (They must not be too familiar with passive aggressive types.) They said I could hold it while they signed and Husband took my picture.
10. If you don't support local things that are awesome, then they leave. As I was getting so near to the signing table, Teen Girl's Dad said this to Bill Joyce. Mr. Joyce had thanked them for standing in line for an hour and a half (he had not accounted for the 30 minutes we had stood before he started signing). His full quote was, "Like I learned from my favorite hockey team, if you don't support local things that are awesome, then they leave." I supposed he was missing the Mudbugs.
Moonbot studios & all its creative people are a local thing that is awesome. You can learn about them online at www.moonbotstudios.com.
Thanks, Mr. Joyce, for signing books for Ben, Will, Carolann & Adeline, and for writing & illustrating it so beautifully. (Also thanks for letting me hold an Oscar!)
Almost 20 years ago, I went to the recently-closed tiny Tower Books on Line Avenue to have Bill Joyce sign another beautiful book, "Santa Calls". I don't remember having to stand in much of a line at that time. I was prepared for a longer line this time, of course, but not this much longer! The signing was scheduled to begin at 6PM. Having bought my books earlier in the day, I knew I wouldn't have to stand on line for that part, so I thought that maybe arriving at 5:30 would be sufficient... maybe not to be first or second, but at least pretty near the front of the line. I was so wrong!
When I found the back of the line, I couldn't tell where the front of the line was. After much tip-toeing & neck craning, I could tell that the signing table was at the Pooh's Corner end of the children's area. The line made a huge circle around the whole circumference of the children's section, then exited there to start down the wall outside it. That was the point where I found myself just a bit after 5:30. People kept filing in behind me at a quick pace, all the way down that wall to the bathrooms in the far corner, then turning that corner. I heard talk that the line by 6:00 was back to the drink & food area near the front. New people regularly walked up to where we were near the entrance to the children's area, then would turn their heads to the right . When they realized that they couldn't see the line's end from there, they all shared the same look of disappointment & dread. But I doubt many of them left because that long line continued to grow. People who were on line in twos or threes had the luxury of spelling one another. The teenage girl who was directly in front of me with her Dad walked to the front of the line & came back with a head count. She declared that there were approximately 80 people ahead of us.
I was so disappointed that I hadn't brought along the latest book I'm reading so that I could occupy my time. But for the next 120 minutes I looked at the books around me & listened to conversations. Here's a list of some of what I learned:
1. There are a huge amount of workbooks available for children of all ages to learn or to brush up on their reading & math skills. Since the longest I stood in one place was directly by this shelf, I stared at those titles & thumbed through some, for a long time.
2. There is a Glee Yearbook in the Teen Section. It contains more beautiful pictures of more beautiful people than you would see in most yearbooks. No acne & unfortunate haircuts here!
3. Percy Jackson & the Lightening Thief is a fantastic book but a disappointing movie. Teen Girl and her dad struck up extensive conversations with Tween Sophie & her mom during our stint online. They were concerned that those who saw the movie but didn't read the book would miss out on reading it and the rest of a wonderful series. They wondered if the author really consented to the drastic differences in the movie.
4. The Giver is a great book that can spur exciting class discussions. I haven't read this book, but as our group passed by the shelf it was on, Teen Girl commented about it.
5. You can't use a Starbucks giftcard for a Starbuck's drink at Barnes & Noble. Tween Sophie had been gone awhile to get some refreshment for herself & her mom, armed only with the giftcard her mom handed her. She returned disappointed after having stood in that line, only to find out this fact. Having no cash on her, she returned empty-handed. Sorry, Sophie!
6. Barnes & Noble employees check on the people in line. Every 30 minutes or so, someone with a name tag would walk by, asking people if they were okay & reminding them not to "lock their knees".
7. The Tim Burton movie "Dark Shadows" should have been & might possibly be rated R. Sophie's mom took the kids to see it on vacation, where it was rated PG-13, & said they were bothered by what they considered R-rated material. When they came home she said that she noticed it was rated R here. I didn't see it, so can't comment on that.
8. There's an app for that!! Fantastic Flying Books director Brandon Oldenburg was there among the crowd. He was demonstrating the I-Pad app for the book. If you aimed your I-pad at pages in the book, it would come to life on your screen. So cool! Wish I had an I-pad...
9. An Oscar is heavy!! During glimpses of the signing table on my circumnavigating of the children's section, I could see that the Oscar was there on the signing table with William Joyce & Joe Bluhm (his co-illustrator of the book.) Occasionally I would notice someone picking it up. When Husband texted me that he was done with his meeting & was now home, I texted back my request that he come to Barnes & Noble & bring my camera. As we approached the table, the next half dozen or so people had only commented on the Oscar & not touched it. But I wasn't about to be apprehensive about it. I told Mr. Joyce how beautiful I thought the book was & thanked them for being there. Then I said, "Haven't I seen other people picking up your Oscar?" They laughed at me & said that was a different approach. (They must not be too familiar with passive aggressive types.) They said I could hold it while they signed and Husband took my picture.
(The camera setting was wrong for the lights there, so the picture could have been better. But that's me and that's a real Oscar.)
10. If you don't support local things that are awesome, then they leave. As I was getting so near to the signing table, Teen Girl's Dad said this to Bill Joyce. Mr. Joyce had thanked them for standing in line for an hour and a half (he had not accounted for the 30 minutes we had stood before he started signing). His full quote was, "Like I learned from my favorite hockey team, if you don't support local things that are awesome, then they leave." I supposed he was missing the Mudbugs.
Moonbot studios & all its creative people are a local thing that is awesome. You can learn about them online at www.moonbotstudios.com.
Thanks, Mr. Joyce, for signing books for Ben, Will, Carolann & Adeline, and for writing & illustrating it so beautifully. (Also thanks for letting me hold an Oscar!)
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Papa's Trucks
Last Saturday afternoon Ben wanted to spend awhile with me. We went to Wal Mart together and I helped him make a birthday card for his mom, complete with bright yellow flowers, a rainbow & butterflies. Then he picked up a metal toy truck that he's played with from time to time, and it triggered something that he remembered. That toy truck was Terry's when he was a child & it's one of a collection that he still has. Ben has never seen the whole boxfull, but he somehow remembered that there were more. "GrandMartha, can I see the box with all the trucks that Papa has?" he asked me. I told him to go ask Papa & together they went to the garage & brought the box inside.
Terry pulled out the trucks and showed Ben what each one was & how it operated. There were fire trucks and a sanitation truck, trucks with trailers, tractors and a forklift. After Papa helped Ben get all the trucks out, Terry went back to work & Ben's fun began. And, of course, I got out my camera.
Ben began lining up all the trucks on the box lid like it was a parking lot. So I got out the playrug that has streets & buildings on it so he could have a bigger landscape for all the traffic.
When it was time for Ben to go home he didn't want to leave the trucks. It had been so fun for more than an hour to just quietly line those trucks up and run them around on the floor with his imagination going who knows where. Before he left, Ben asked his Papa what he did with those trucks when he was a little boy. Terry said, "At night when my mama and daddy would watch TV in the living room, I'd get out my trucks and drive them around on the floor for an hour or so." I guess little boys then and now are not so very different...at least when it comes to a toy truck.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
A Beautiful Bouquet
I picked up my grandsons after daycare yesterday. I brought them to church where Papa was working to surprise him. They tiptoed to his office door and yelled, "Papa!" running to him for hugs. We went outside to the church playground. As we walked through the grass, Ben ran ahead to pick a flower...one of those little white flowers that grow in the weeds. He brought it back to me and said, "I picked this flower for you, GrandMartha!" Then Will, not to be outdone, picked a tiny yellow flower from the weeds and brought it to me. "Dis for you, DaDa!" he said proudly. The boys continued picking flowers and bestowing them on me until there was just grass left. Then they continued on to swing and climb and slide in the unbelievably hot-for-March sun. My precious little bouquet wilted very quickly. It's a rare time when I don't have my camera with me. I would like to have had a picture of those flowers before they had gone limp in the heat. But no matter that I don't have the photo. I'll have a memory of those sweet boys and their gift of love forever.
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