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Welcome to familywisdom.com, a website dedicated to informing and inspiring couples and families. Each week you will find a new article, story or essay about parenting, marriage or life. Suggestions for articles and questions to Ellen Terich are welcome. You can contact her at e.terich1@verizon.net |
A DAY WITH THE MILLERS 2007-01-04 Earlier this week, my husband and I spent a day with our grandchildren: Sean, Grace, and Madeline Miller. Their mother was concerned that Grace, who used to hold the cherished youngest child spot in the family, was now suffering from "middle child syndrome." She wanted to spend some time alone with Grace, and let the other two children stay with us. This would also give Grampy some time to take a long walk with Sean, a cherished tradition that hasn't happened as much recently as both Sean and Grampy would like. And off they went, binoculars in hand, to scout out birds or other things of interest. Sean insisted he wanted to find parrots. When I expressed reservation about his being able to find any parrots, his mother informed us that there were indeed wild parrots in Pasadena, the descendents of a group of parrots that had escaped from a pet store years earlier. The Miller children are, as most young children, funny, creative, original and amazing. Their words often belie their youth, prompting Grampy and I to frequently shake our heads and wonder how such ideas could come out of the mouths of such young persons. Sean, for instance, when asked to tell us about the songs he sang in his recent Christmas pageant, said "If I have to tell you all of them it will wipe me out." Later, after Grace and her mother came home, she told her mother of something that was troubling her by announcing "my heart is broken." Madeline, of course, doesn't really say much other than "mama" and "dada," but she is no less determined to get her point across, even if Grammy is a little slow to catch on. I was preparing lunch for her and got some strawberries out of the refrigerator. Not expecting a response, I asked her if she wanted some. She shook her head no. I ignored this as I knew she liked strawberries and assumed she was just shaking her head because that was a new trick she had learned. When one by one, she dumped each strawberry over the side of her high chair I learned a valuable lesson about non-verbal communication. Sean and Grace love music, and for most of our time with them, they were humming. Sean typically hums a song from Star Wars, or one of the Christmas songs he recently got wiped out singing at his Christmas pageant, but Grace floored me when I realized she was humming Beethovan's "Ode to Joy." All three giggled with Grampy when he made all five of Grace's princess dolls dance, as he sang songs from the Supremes in a silly high voice. As the day wore on, and Grampy and I were still there, Sean and Grace got an excited look in their eyes and asked if we were going to spend the night. We said "no" and then they asked if we were staying for dinner. We said we were and that made them happy. What a wonderful feeling it was to know they didn't want us to leave. Anytime we have a chance to spend time with the grandchildren is magical time to us. To have small and innocent beings hug you, their eyes lighting up when they see you, is something to cherish. In a few years, when they are older and more interested in their friends, Grampy and Grammy may be old news, but for now we can count on their love and affection. They do not judge us or criticize us. They accept us as two people who are part of their family, people whom they love and who love them. They are always happy to see us. When times are tough, and life is disappointing and sad, the smiles, laughter, hugs, silliness, affection, and unconditional love of children is a wonderful antidote, the best elixir in the world. |