Sunday Snippet: The Ode to Grandboy Edition

 “Grandchildren fill a space in your heart that you never knew was empty.“—Unknown

For a woman who once said, “It’s fine if we don’t get grandkids, it won’t be the end of the world,” this quote couldn’t be more true.

Yes, it’s all about Grandboy this week. He turned twelve yesterday, which means he’s almost a teenager. My heart! I’m completely besotted with this child…er, young man. Each time I’m with him, I’m more bewitched with his intelligence, his humor, his charm…his heart. He is the kindest kid I know and worries about things like hurting someone else’s feelings and what he can do to make life better for someone who is in need of a hug or an ear.

He’s wise in ways that surprise me–my mom would’ve said he’s old soul. His instincts about people are extraordinarily good. He handles himself like he’s thirty-five and does, I’m afraid, sometimes eschew the company of his peers. But he’s also the child who said about a kid who bullied him recently, “You just have to ignore them, Nanny. People bully because there’s something wrong in their own lives. So it’s best to be kind to everyone. You never know.” Seriously, what 12-year-old has that knowledge and compassion? He loves animals–anything furry. He hugs us with abandon, and promises never to be “too cool” to do that, which I appreciate so much, but won’t hold him to or ever insist upon because he may change his mind when he turns 15.

Son and DIL have encouraged Grandboy to explore his interests and so far, in his young life, his have been many and varied. He’s drawn to artists, actors, musicians–creative types, which is no surprise given his artsy-fartsy parents and grandparents. He started playing in the school band this year–French horn,  had a small part in the chorus of the school musical, and has been in a couple of local community theater productions. He’s going to acting camp this month, so the fab four–his two sets of grandparents–will be helping out with transportation as we can. He loves being onstage and he’s damn good–confident as a 12-year-old boy can be and eager to fall into a new part. So far, it’s been small parts, but I have the feeling, we’ll see him in bigger parts soon and more front-and-center onstage.

The kid loves to play video games, loves to read, loves storytelling, although he hates the actual act of writing–the literal putting pencil to paper part. He’s better if he can type it out or tell you orally. He can be scattered and disorganized and he forgets assignments and waits until the last moment to get something done–yeah he’s all boy and all preteen in that regard. Son and DIL are determined to teach him to be responsible and organized and to learn good study habits as he enters junior high school in the fall. I wish them luck with that. He will strive to please them, but if his mind is anything at all like his father’s, organization will come to him slowly.

He loves drawing, particularly digital drawing and all things computer generated. His memory, although sometimes conveniently bad, is remarkable. Son once said of six-year-old Grandboy, “You think he’s not paying attention and you wonder if he got anything you said. But then one day, several days or even weeks later, exactly what you told him will come out observationally and at an entirely appropriate moment and you realize he was listening all the time.” He loves to fish, swim in the lake, and go out on the boat. Lake life for the win!

“Grandparents can be very special resources. Just being close to them reassures a child, without words, about change and continuity, about what went before and what will come after.” — Fred Rogers

Our message to Grandboy on this milestone birthday:  We are so proud of the young man you are becoming. You are always in our hearts. We love you beyond any love we’ve ever known. Be curious about everything. Have courage when the world seems harsh. Be honest. Be joyful. Be kind and always stay wonderfully you—Nanny and Poppy

Gratitude for This Week: We got haircuts! I bought seeds for cosmos and zinnias to replace the spring daisies. Sis stopped by this week for a quick errand and when I opened the door, we were wearing the exact same outfit–talk about family ties! Husband and I made flat bread pizzas and enjoyed them a nice bottle of chianti last night–sometimes it’s the little things, you know? We had a glorious storm and rain this week–we needed it and my gardens are grateful. 

Stay well, be kind always, look for the little joys, and most of all, mes amis, stay grateful!

PS: Sunday Snippets are now also available on Substack.