Don’t Blink

Last week, our granddaughter came to spend the night with us. It was her turn.

She was very excited and when we got home, she wanted to ride in the Gator and go feed the rooster.

So off to the barn we went.

Then we went to the garden to check the tomatoes.

After that and a little joy ride, we went inside the house to see the kittens.

It wasn’t that long ago that my granddaughter was a baby.

She was so tiny ( a pound and 3 oz.) that her head and body could just about fit in the palm of my hand.

It wasn’t that long ago that I couldn’t always figure out what she was trying to say.

And now she’s a big girl (at 4-1/2) and starting pre-K!

I must have blinked.

She started out at eleven inches long. So much has happened since then.

It has taken so much time and struggle to get her where she is today and I’m thrilled that I got to be a small part of that.

It’s crazy that it often feels like it was just yesterday that she was so small and helpless.

She’s a very strong girl and she has a will of iron. A good combination in survival territory.

When it was bedtime, she got her blankets, her Beebe doll, and her Pawpaw phone, gave her Pawpaw hugs and kisses goodnight (he sleeps in his lift recliner in the living room most nights), and headed to our room to put her things on my bed.

We brushed our teeth, went potty, washed our hands, then snuggled up in my bed to go to sleep.

Then, for the first time ever, she wanted to sleep in the other big bed by herself.

How did that happen? She’s only four!

I fashioned her a nest of sorts and she jumped ship like her little life depended on it.

Woo Hoo! She could watch Steve and Maggie without me looking over her shoulder.

Still in disbelief and a little sad, I left my bedside light on and read my book for a little while as she reveled in her new found freedom.

I really thought I’d have more time. Her brothers were a few years older before they wanted to sleep in their own bed, then eventually their own room.

On the bright side, I’d have more than eleven inches on the outside edge of the bed to sleep on.

It wasn’t long before–you guessed it–she decided she wanted to sleep with me after all. She abandoned her little blanket and Beebe and hopped back into bed where she usually sleeps.

Once she fell asleep (and a few times during the night), I moved her back over to her side of the bed, but she ended up right in the middle again by morning.

I think this time, she left me a whole twelve inches!

When Nora was born, her brothers were eight and nine and both in elementary school. Now Nora is starting in pre-K and her brothers are in middle school (7th grade) and high school (9th grade).

They all have such different and amazing personalities.

Watching them grow up has been a great joy in my life. An honor. A privilege.

Living close by has given me the opportunity to spend a good amount of time with them, which I treasure.

But, where did the time go?

~~~

The thing with kids–whether they’re your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews–is this: they grow up quickly.

You only have one shot at loving them well and teaching them what they need to know to live a good and happy life before they’re out the door.

You have to make the time you spend with them count.

Not just the “quality” time that was so popular several years ago, but the quantity time. Being there so that when they have a problem or are in the mood to talk, you’re available.

Doing little things together consistently.

Making sure they feel loved, safe, and happy.

~~~

My oldest child didn’t really talk about things that were on his mind much as a teenager. But if he was going to talk, he was most likely to do it late in the evening when it was dark.

When he was a young boy, he’d always ask his questions after he went to bed when it was dark and quiet and he was sleepy–I suspect because his usual defenses were down.

So in his teen years, even though I had to get up early for work, I’d stay up a bit later a couple nights a week just in case. We’d usually end up sitting on the couch in the back room with just the glow of the light from the living room talking about whatever was on his mind.

Sometimes it’s easier to talk when it’s dark enough that you can just look at the ceiling.

It all goes by so quickly. Love them and spend time with them while they’re there. Make sure they feel safe and loved.

Enjoy their growing up years.

Just remember not to blink.

~~~