Grandkids Heal All Ills

There are some obvious benefits to getting older. One of the best is grandchildren. For those of you with aging parents, have you ever noticed how it will always cheer them up if you talk about their grandchildren or great grandchildren?

Andrew is my first grandchild and Great Granny's first great grandchild. Great Granny lives on the farm and when Andrew visits from the big city (Washington D.C.) he takes special interest in looking after Granny. He regularly runs from the "Big House" to her apartment to check on her, holds her hand when she walks to the car and worries a lot about her falling. His Great Grandpa died about a year ago. Saddened by that event he told his Granny how much he would miss talking to Great Grandpa. Granny's response was the obvious, "You can still talk to him. He is listening in heaven." Only slightly consoled, he replied, "But he can not talk back." At age six, he clearly recognized the importance of Grandpa's reply.

Great Granny Oversight

Does this sound familiar to any of you? We moved my 88 year old mom (Granny) to an apartment on our farm about a year ago. The other night (2am) she called my cell phone to tell me that she smelled smoke outside her window and I needed to check all of the barns. I shook off my sleepiness, put on my slippers and marched to all three barns, climbing into all of the mows to check for smoke. None to be found. On my way back to the house, I receive a cell phone call. It is Granny. She has traveled down her stairs and is on the porch. She tells me that she will watch to make sure I make it back to the house OK.