July 9, 2022 We brought Andrew over for the morning. Jonathan and Andrew played soccer, I filmed some of the play. Andrew had a snack. He asked Jonathan to set up the electric train declaring his love for it. We did a variety of things. What most surprised me was his easy engagement with a photograph of Balloon Fish that came to our house in a calendar.
I brought the fish to life speaking directly to Andrew who answered the fish. Holding the photograph largely in front of my face, Andrew and the fish carried on a conversation. I invited Andrew to name me (it), which he seamlessly did. The first few words sounded like Indian names, the final few were lifted from a sentence the fish had just said, “I eat Kelp.” So, I chose that sentence as the nickname of the fish. Andrew felt totally engaged.
It was pure delight.
The second thing I want to note is this insight: I am spent when a grandchild returns home. The reciprocal gift is found in reflection, when I linger and ponder the most fetching moments of our interaction.
This is important. I cannot just give and give. I am not the giving tree. My gifts are reciprocated when I ponder what I have been given--when I hold it as a treasure to return to.
The third note is this. Andrew often greets me with this: “I have a surprise for you…” And you know what—every time he does bring me a surprise—for he has changed, grown up just enough to notice.
Delightful.
I brought the fish to life speaking directly to Andrew who answered the fish. Holding the photograph largely in front of my face, Andrew and the fish carried on a conversation. I invited Andrew to name me (it), which he seamlessly did. The first few words sounded like Indian names, the final few were lifted from a sentence the fish had just said, “I eat Kelp.” So, I chose that sentence as the nickname of the fish. Andrew felt totally engaged.
It was pure delight.
The second thing I want to note is this insight: I am spent when a grandchild returns home. The reciprocal gift is found in reflection, when I linger and ponder the most fetching moments of our interaction.
This is important. I cannot just give and give. I am not the giving tree. My gifts are reciprocated when I ponder what I have been given--when I hold it as a treasure to return to.
The third note is this. Andrew often greets me with this: “I have a surprise for you…” And you know what—every time he does bring me a surprise—for he has changed, grown up just enough to notice.
Delightful.
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