Whatcha Doin', Mom

Once in a while my phone will ring. I hear the voice of one of my adult children asking, "Whatcha doin', Mom," this afternoon or tomorrow or whenever. Then they will ask if I would like to come for an afternoon or evening, and spend time with my grandchildren. Sometimes there is a meal involved, like fish that David caught up north, or burgers on the grill. We aren't talking fancy here, and I don't need fancy. I don't even need to be fed. But I do need to see my grandchildren now and then, so off I go.

I love just watching the little ones. They are so busy. They color pictures for me to put up on my refrigerator. It is well wallpapered, and there is always room for more. They play games or involve me in some of their activities, like playing "Beauty Shop." We have gone to the park and played on the swings. They show off what they can do on the playground equipment. "Look, Grandma, what I can do!"

Sometimes the older grandchildren are there too. I am impressed with how good the older ones are with the younger set. They play with them, and make them laugh. Music to my ears. Nicki spent an evening putting French braids in the little girls' hair. Chris usually grabs Jacob, and soon the baby is giggling, too. How I love it all.

I also love it when Chris and Nicki tell me about what is going on in their lives - places they have been, or the sports they are involved in, or what they are doing at school. Because I work so much of the time, I am not able to go to their games or school activities, and having them tell me about them makes me feel connected. They are well on their way to becoming adults, and even though I love them, I like them as well. They are not babies any more, and are becoming good people. Makes my heart glad.

My son who doesn't have children will also call once in a while and ask, "Whatcha doin', Mom?" The last couple of times that happened, he and his lovely friend Kathy picked me up and took me to lunch, and afterward we went to do a little shopping. I thoroughly enjoyed those days.

The last time I heard, "Whatcha doin', Mom," David and his family came and picked me up. I had an errand to run at Target, so we went there first. As we were going into the store, Jill pulled up in her van, and I talked with her for a time. After we got back to my place, the phone rang, and Jill invited us all to her house for burgers on the grill. We had such a nice time. The kids played and the adults engaged in conversation. After a while, I sat back and just looked around me at my family, and I thought about how truly blessed I am.

These days some of my favorite words are, "Whatcha doin', Mom."

http://www.4shared.com/file/55211865/ab154ed9/whatcha_doin_mom_1.html

http://www.4shared.com/file/55211864/dc127e4f/whatcha_doin_mom_2.html

More Photos in my Mailbox

Most mornings I get up, stumble around making coffee and then sit down at my computer to read the morning news online and check my email before getting ready for work. Once in a while there is a surprise in my email that makes my day a good one right off the bat. A few days ago I had one of those surprises.

Jill had emailed me some photos of Zach. Nice way to start the day - seeing a grandson's smiling face. These photos of the grandkids enjoying themselves are precious. Makes me feel connected, even though I am unable to go to school functions due to the annoying need to work to pay the rent and bills.

Zach had taken a trip to the zoo with his class. He later told me that it was fun. He liked the giraffes. It sure looks like he was having a good time with his friends.

http://www.4shared.com/file/54474686/6eb1f2dc/More_Photos_in_my_Mailbox.html

Then there was the music program put on by his class for their parents. Zach acted as a Master of Ceremonies. His mother tells me that he did a great job. When he was asked why he volunteered for the job, he said that he thought they needed good readers. No false modesty there. And he is right. He reads above the level of his eight years. I am so glad that I have the photos to document this acheivement. Well done, Zach. Grandma is proud of you.