Lesson #1:
If one focuses on anything other than the little person on their lap, they should be prepared for the quick of hand, foot, and/or head of the overlooked one. While printing out the confirmation of bills paid, I felt a yank from just behind my left ear. The little granddaughter warrior had latched onto a handful of my short tresses and was showing no mercy. Just as I was reaching up to help her release what she had laid claim to, her twin hand (fist) found my esophagus. As if the throat punch wasn't enough, that sweet little hand opened up, grabbed a hunk of flesh and I was concerned my throat had been ripped out of it's hiding place.
Lesson #2:
Once the warning has been issued to pay attention to the wee one, one should discontinue what they feel is important and place 100% of their focus on the tiny strong person. When Reagan decided it okay to release my hair, my ear found that even though it had been in virtually the same place for 69 plus years, it indeed could be moved to another location. At this point I am doubling over in laughter. Yeah, I know. I just didn't expect her to be so fast, and STRONG!
Lesson #3:
GUARD YOUR GLASSES! I had to take my expensive, brand new glasses off my face so as to wipe the tears that were streaming down the cheeks. As I looked into that angelic face, her eyes caught mine, and we just looked at each other for a moment or two. She looked really blurry because, 1. my glasses were off, and 2. tears were filling up my eye sockets. Yet, I could tell she was flashing that sweet, sweet, smile of hers that I love so much. "Tag! You're it, Grandma!"
Just as I thought, "Well, that ended okay," out of nowhere comes this little Speedy Gonzales right hand aimed right at those glasses that were dangling between the fingers of my left hand. Before I could blink, the tiny hand grabbed them. Working within the bounds of a carefully executed strategy, I was able to free them from her grasp with only a few finger smears on the lens. Whew, that one was close!
Lesson #4:
Just because you've won the battle, doesn't necessarily mean you've won the war. "Come here baby girl," I said, as I eased the cover of the laptop down. And with that, I picked her up from a sitting position to a standing, hugging, loving, position that ended with a head butt, that I'm fairly certain was meant to crush the only place on the face not attacked yet...the nose! Holy Moly, Simoly!
Yet, there are many times this small package from God makes me smile so very big, as my heart grows two sizes larger.
- The calm and unblinking look she gives, as if she is sizing you up as she places every feature you have in her memory banks, would warm the coldest of hearts.
- The playful giggle she lets out when you pull her hand from her mouth, makes the world seem perfect.
- Using my arm as a wrapping pole for her legs when laying her down for a nap makes me have to hide my face from her gaze because of the uncontrollable laughing that comes from deep inside me.
- When she catches the eye of someone she loves, even though she may be drinking from her bottle, everything stops for her as her sweet little mouth curls up at the edges and her eyes twinkle "I love you."
- The way she awakens from a nap causes the universe to stop and take notice. She may have been awake for awhile and just playing with Tommy Turtle, or Curly Centipede, or Barley Bear, when she decides it's time for someone to come talk with her. She calls out gently. Once, twice, and by the third time it has become a very loud, "HEY! Come get me!" Yet, upon entering the room, and as your gaze locks with hers, that beautiful smile has found it's way into the atmosphere and all is well with the world.
- When she reaches out for me to kiss her hand as her momma brings her into the house first thing every week-day morning, causes me to feel a bond has formed that she will remember long after I'm gone.
- The way she looks at her momma causes so many memories of when our girls were her age. Daddy's are so very important, as well, and I don't mean to diminish their part in a child's life, but there is no bond stronger than a mother and her child. Possibly because they are a vital part of each other. Moms are forever homes to a child. She is where they were nourished and found their beginnings. She will always be there for them. Their safe place. She is home. Always...
As the days, the weeks, the months, and the years, slip through my fingers, I hope God will allow me sufficient time to see this beautiful child grow into the young woman He has created her to be. I would love to get a glimpse of where He will lead her and hope that Dennis and I can be a safe place for her, as well.
Grateful for the privilege of watching over such a treasure, here you'll find me...in Mary's World.
