Grandchildren Teach Us

My grandchildren offer me insight, eye-openers, and heartburn. They also give me pure and unconditional love. Who else does that?

The most important thing they offer though is lessons in life, should I care to learn them.

After this past weekend at Bernie's grandma’s house, I was once again the student.

My grandchildren taught me:

1. Kids are smarter than we are, or were. When discussing upcoming birthdays, it seems I'm not "with it." In their hip language, one said, "Grandma," (insert rolling eyes); "Check THAT off your list. Nooooobody gets THAT!" Well excuse me...if an etch-a-sketch was good enough for ME at six, it should be good enough for you.

A laptop? I don't thinkkkkkk so. Who do I look like, Donald Thrump? (Okay, maybe on a bad hair day, but that's beside the point)

2. Kids love, absolutely LOVE games and especially hide and seek, i.e., hiding things of great value from grandma. Anybody seen my glasses?

3. Kids love to sleep with grandmas. Two kids and one fluffy grandma cannot sleep in one bed no matter how much you cling to the side. Don't EVEN suggest taking out the three dolls, a teddy bear missing a nose (that's another story), or their favorite books, movies, and half-eaten fruit. Snug as a bug in a rug...sigh.

4. Kids want to help. Teaching them responsibility is a good thing unless they decide to water your plants when you're not around...and the hardwood floors. Shop vacs...they are our friend.

5. Kids love bath time and getting naked. They also love to watch grandma's hissy fit when they run outside to greet the neighbors. Never turn your back on a 4-year old. EVER.

6. Kids love to dance; however, showing them YOUR moves from 196_ is a big mistake. Suddenly, you feel your age and the hysterical laughter doesn't help.

7. Kids love to help make milkshakes. Note to self: Check lid on mixer. Keep shop vac near.

8. Kids love to play dress up. Especially wearing your favorite blouse as they eat Spaghetti-O's. Ewww...Shop vac's can't fix that.

9. Kids love makeup and perfume. They love smearing it on until they resemble hookers...oh, and making the cat smell pretty. At least now the cat can't hide. I just follow the smell. Padlocks, they are ALSO our friend

10. Kids love their grandmas. Why not? It's the only place they can come, totally be kids, and eat, drink, and ah…be scary.

I love my grandchildren more than my life. They make me so happy when they arrive. On more adventurous days I’ll admit, I'm equally happy when they depart.

My grandbeauties have taught me that sleep, glasses, and live plants—these things can be replaced—but love, unconditional love bestowed with giant hugs and sloppy kisses...never.

JJ, the proud grandma knowing they just don't make a Hallmark for that.

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When Old Friends Collide

This past week I had the pleasure of dinner with some classmates from high school...the "girls," as I've labeled them.

Yes, we graduated like a 100 years ago, but that night, just that one night, we were sixteen again.

The chatter was nonstop and the laughter, tales, and love for one another was alive and intact, even after all these years.

By the way, if they mention anything I did in school, it's a lie. I was framed, I tell ya, framed.

Time may think it has been successful in being unkind to us and our bodies, but time be damned. I saw girls that have been transformed into some of the most beautiful women on earth.

I saw nothing but sparkles in each woman's eyes. There was evidence of growth and maturity of the best kind as they told the stories of their lives since school. I witnessed a love for each other that cannot be measured, nor interrupted. Not even by time.

Yes, the wrinkles and our "fluffiNESS," was there. No one noticed. Like a buried time capsule, we opened every memory and discovered lost treasures, once again.

Each "girl" undoubtedly left with a full heart. Time may have changed us physically, but time cannot alter hearts that are connected. It cannot penetrate, or harm, the love that was passed back and forth across the table that night, because just like the ketchup bottles, it was refilled.

As the nice people at the restaurant turned out the lights, (Yes, we closed them down) we parted with many hugs and with tears, and also promises to meet again, very soon.

I'll not deny that time does march on, but for one night--that one, special night--time was gracious and oh so giving, allowing us to fill the atmosphere with our yesterday's.

Most of all, we walked away knowing...we did, and we do, matter.

Dinner = $14.00 bucks and worth every penny
Whose boobs now touches our knees = It was a draw
Who did what in school = I was framed I tell ya!

Rekindled friendships = Priceless

JJ - Proudly, one of the "girls"

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