I am writing this on a flight back to New York after spending the past few days visiting a daughter, son-in-law and two sweet granddaughters in Florida. We have delighted in the interactions of these days….time at the pool and the beach, walks, bike rides, trips to the playground, sight-seeing, book reading, playing games, snuggling and more book reading.
When a grandparent doesn’t see a grandchild for a period of months, the changes are somewhat startling. A child who was in a beginning reader last time is now reading fluently both aloud and silently. We ride along in the car and the five year old reads the signs along the way… “Mexican Grill, Sushi House, divided highway, uneven lanes.” How did that happen? Last time I heard her read it was “See Dan and Jan run.”
Both girls are riding bicycles now instead of trikes. The six year-old swims without a flotation aide and hangs upside down from the monkey bars by her knees. They make their own beds, carry their dishes to the kitchen after meals, and dress themselves, including selection of their own clothing which actually matches…usually.
Most of this did not happen magically, of course. I know how much effort is required of parents to teach good habits. Some of it does seem to happen in mystical ways, however. What wondrous mechanism in the human brain causes a child to learn to read or ride a bike? I understand that repetitive activity causes electronic pathways to be traveled more easily, but it is still miraculous to me.
The time passed much too quickly. Last night as we talked about leaving today, the five year-old said with indignation, “That was NOT nine days!” Her mother counted off the days for her on her fingers. She was quiet as she realized the truth. It was nine days….nine much too short days.
One of the girls declared they would now have to go back to being bored. I doubt that those two eager minds are ever actually bored, but, apparently they will miss us, and I know we will miss them.
No comments:
Post a Comment