Monday, July 12, 2010

Just thoughts

I had so much fun with six of my grandkids this past weekend. Five of them spent the night Friday. Rod was gone on a "Mormon Trek" with the teenagers in our ward.
First to arrive was Ellie, 9, and Katie, 6. Next was Ben, 2 1/2. About 30 minutes later Caleb, 5, and Corbin, 22 months, showed up. We played outside until it became apparent that the sun was going down. Then the little munchkins ran inside excited with the idea of sleeping on cushions in the living room. Ellie loved the idea of sleeping on Papa's pillow on his side of the bed.
"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity," she said.
Before she nestled down, she read "The Lorex," by Dr. Seus to us. I then read "27 Rabbits."
Corbin nodded off in his bed in the back bedroom listening to LDS Primary songs. He needs music.
Caleb, Ben and Katie looked at picture books until 10:30 p.m., while Ellie read some more Dr. Seus stories. I have a volume of them.
During the night I heard Ben crying. He managed to get his head stuck between the cushions of his sleeping area and Katie's. It wasn't life-threatening, just uncomformtable. Ellie slammed her head on the headboard of my bed. Scared me to death.
Finally at 3 a.m. I fell asleep, only to be awaken by the munchkins in the living room laughing at 6:30 a.m.
Rotten children...
I told them they had to be quiet for an hour. The sun's up, they said. It's time to wake up. Too early for grumpy grandma.
Once everyone was awake, I cooked pancakes, waffles, sausage and bacon for the group. Then it was time to put on swim suits, gather up umbrellas, towels, sunscreen and water balloons. We headed outside to run through sprinklers, build forts with umbrellas and throw towels on the ground.
Julie, my youngest grandchild, joined us at noon for a picnic of turkey sandwiches, watermelon, cheese slices and pineapple.
Nap time arrived and sure enough I was able to get only two asleep. But no worries.
Their parents arrived at 4:30 and took those sweet children home.
I love being a grandma. It's the reward for being mom. I love being mom. Even to adult children who sometimes act as if I was totally crazy. Maybe just a little.

Friday, July 2, 2010

One interview

Yesterday I interviewed a woman who is the same age as my daughter Terra. She weighs as much as my daughter Jennica. And she has two children, a husband who adores her and a brain tumor.
The brain tumor is scary. She's been dizzy, sick to her stomach and in pain. But what touched me more than anything was her mother-in-law. I could tell how much the woman loves this young woman. She struggled to keep her emotions in tack. I tried so hard to keep it together, but it was difficult.
I wanted to hug my daughters, my sons, my grandchildren, my husband, my daughters-in-law, my sons-in-law, and my mother-in-law. I know we have problems, but my problems are nothing compared to this sweet family.
They do not think they were that special to interview. They are just ordinary people. I'm an ordinary woman too. I know what put the "news" in their lives was the outpouring of love they received from the community and their workplace. They have touched so many people that others want them to have joy, laughter and love. I understand that.
I felt their love and I only want the best for all of them. They touched my live and in a positive way.
Too many times people worry about me and about the stories I write because they think the negative stories are going to do me in. What they and sometimes I fail to realize, the positive stories impact me more, much more, than any negative story will.
Katrina and Scott you are my hereos. You are there with others who have faced the worse that can be dished out to them and yet still remember to love others, laugh with them and bring joy into their lives, even if it is for a brief moment.