My early memories of my own grandmothers are that they always looked "old." Gray hair, "house dresses" and sensible orthopedic shoes . . . they enjoyed rocking on the porch while snapping beans . . . they had plenty of time to sit and cuddle grandchildren and tell them of days gone by. That was defnitely not me!
As my son and his wife awaited the birth of their first child, I felt another turning point in my life coming at me like a freight train! After "HE" arrived, I gradually got used to hearing myself described using the "G" word. But I still wanted to think of something else the little sweetheart could call me that didn't make me sound so old. A friend told me that I shouldn't knock myself out trying to decide what I wanted to be called, because in the end, grandkids call you whatever they decide to call you, or whatever they can pronounce. So I put the concern to rest . . . apparently, it was out of my hands.
Now 3 1/2 years (and 1 more grandchild later), this little imp can call me whatever he wants! And so can his brother as soon as he can talk. What a joy! Now I know why my grandmothers stopped everything to take time to sit and play or talk with us. When your own children are small, you have so much responsibility and so much to do just to insure their good health, safety, and education, that finding time to spend with them just having fun one-on-one is really a challenge. But grandparents, free of all the responsibility, can finally just relax and enjoy!
Some things have changed since my own days as a young grandchild, though. We don't sit on the porch and snap beans together; nor do we blow bubbles at the kitchen table with bubble pipes made of rolled up newspapers, like my grandmother used to make. At one time or another, I'm sure we'll do some of the things I remember doing with my grandmother, but they aren't the every day occurence around here.
My little 3 1/2 year old genius is turning out to be a computer whiz! We do go to the playground and the pool at my apartment complex sometimes; but during our down times, we play computer games together, and he's VERY good at them! His favorite kid games are at Noggin.com and Disney, of course. But he's just as comfortable playing grown up action games with his Dad and uncles . . . and he can move easily from a PC with a standard mouse, to an X-Box with a game controller, and over to my laptop with its (maddening) circular mouse function. He just seems to "get it." I'm totally amazed, and a little envious that I didn't have access to a computer when I was a kid. I'd have loved it, too!
I heard that his Mom & Dad took him to visit friends a couple weeks ago, who have one of those newer games where you actually move on a mat while using the controller . . . the friends didn't think he'd know what to do with it, but after just a couple minutes of seeing what was what, he was "bowling" and doing a great job of it. He's actually been playing games with his Daddy and uncles ever since he could understand "hit this button."
You do have to watch these little genius types though -- they pick up on everything. He listens to the competitive, game- crazy adults, and is very quick to pick up the lingo.
A case in point . . . yesterday, he came over and said, "Come on, Grandma. Let's play a game on the computer . . . I'm gonna kick your butt!"
To which I responded, "Uhhh . . . excuse me, is that the way you talk to Grandma?"
With head lowered and big sorrowful eyes looking straight at me, he said, "Sorry Grandma . . . . . (pause) . . . . but I AM!"
And . . . he did!
His brother's only 6 months old, but I notice that the whole time we're playing a game together, he's watching from the sidelines at all the flashing colors and falling tiles, etc. He's learning. Give him another year, and I'm pretty sure he'll be ready to kick Grandma's butt, too!
© Carol Auclair Daly.2009-2010 All Rights Reserved
0 comments:
Post a Comment