About a week ago, I wrote about Superhero powers. I made the case for the power to FREEZE time. I had another moment today that I wish I could freeze forever.
This afternoon we headed to my Grannie and Gramps's house. Grannie had knee replacement two weeks ago and came home from the hospital yesterday. You wouldn't believe it if I told you she is 81 years old. The surgery took 10 years off her face. For the last 10 years she has lived in pain...mostly constant for the past two. She is doing a fabulous job of pushing through rehab and will heal quickly. I am so proud of her "never quit" attitude.
While we were there, Z found a soft baseball to play catch with. The mommy in me said, "No balls in Grannie's house." My Gramps had a different idea. He started calling Z his "Lil Fielder" and wanted to play catch. Gramps has been legally blind for many years and his mobility is weak, at best. I worried that he might have been living in the past when he suggested that they play.
But he insisted. So they played catch. In the living room. Filled with BREAKABLES. Many breakables.
It was the sweetest thing to watch. I saw my shy, reserved Gramps giggle with glee. He hooted and hollered. They played for almost an hour. I was so blessed to watch their interaction. Sadly, my kids are standoffish with Gramps; probably due to his age, wrinkles, walker, crooked fingers.
But today, they played.
They played like I played with my Gramps many years ago. I loved spending summers in Nebraska visiting them. Back in the day, Gramps was extremely active. He would tinker in the garden, take long walks and bike rides. I loved the times when he and I would get on our bikes and ride through their small town. Stopping halfway at the A&W for an ice cream treat. I loved helping him trim bushes, wash the dog, and piddle 'round the house.
Today, I saw the Gramps of my youth playing with my son. And I want to FREEZE this memory forever.
