Laughter & Teardrops

Those precious memories of my little grandchildren...
My joy My Frankincense My Myrrh

The big family get together had arrived. The back lawn held a heap of carrots from the garden, gathered by the ambitious little ones. Glancing out I was startled by the tiny ones chopping tops off with my sharp kitchen knives. Eight year old Aubree just then stepped to my drawer for more. I said, "Oh Obee, please gather the knives from the little ones and lets set an age - just tell them just eight year olds and older are to cut the tops off. " I suddenly hear her voice ring out, "Hold it, hold it. The only ones who get to cut the tops off the carrots are those who have been baptized!" (Laughter)

Oh yes, now I'm remembering Darrin's baptism day. We were in College Station, Texas. The baptism was over and we were heading home. Dear little Darrin was so full of joy. He said, "Wasn't that a special day? Me and my friends all in white, our dads in white, the water in front of us just clear and pretty, everybody around us. And there's only one thing that could have made it better - if somebody could have just been playing soft music on the piano - oh, something like - (and he started to softly sing), "There's a little white duck floating on the water, a little white duck doing what he otter." (Laughter)

And there was that day I was driving down to Delta with my car full of the little grandkids from Orem. As we got to the little country town of Leamington I stopped behind the big yellow school bus awaiting three little children to exit. They were a little shabby looking, one in a well worn oversized coat. I grabbed for a teaching moment saying, "Look at these little children not dressed in the best but we always treat them as nice as any others, don't we? Look at their little house and see on the top - they don't even have an antenna on the roof because they don't have a TV in their home." Zander spoke up immediately, "Grandma, remember where this house is. We have two TVs in our home. We don't need two - we sure don't need two! We'll bring one here." (Teardrops)

Oh dear - now they have divided the ward boundaries again and this time my little six year old Kelly across the street will go to another ward. His mom and dad busy, involved and etc. just didn't get to church at all on a regular basis, but dear gray-haired Lilac Holman stopped and picked him up each Sunday. After months had passed I realized I should ask Kelly if he wanted to come to my ward with me. He said, "Well, Grandma, I'm not sure I had better because over there they said we have the only true church!" (Teardrops)

Oh yes, and there was the time when little three year old Brandon heard the news from his mother that she had been holding back for some time. She said with sweet, precious feelings in her heart, "Brandon, I've got something exciting to tell you. In about three months, we will be getting you a new little sister! Isn't that going to be exciting?" Brandon said, "Well, I don't know - I'd sooner have a little monkey!" (Laughter) And I am remembering now when dear little Kimberly was born in Salt Lake and James and I were driving home from seeing her. Little Brandon was with us - he was an excited and astonished little boy. And I am also remembering Brandon looked out the rear window and said, "Oh, oh Grandpa, trouble! Trouble! Trouble!" (James never did learn to slow down - he's paid his share). (Teardrops - teardrops)

Now I am remembering little Kaydn being dropped off at my home so many mornings with Joan teaching school. How Sam, so confined to his walker and occasional wheelchair, would look forward to Kaydn brightening his day. And always as Kaydn was picked up to go home he and Sam had the same goodbye of, "See ya' later alligator," - "After while crocodile." I am remembering the morning Joan called and asked if I could hurry there and get Kaydn to kindergarten as he'd missed the bus - she had no car. I was dashing out the door as my phone rang again. I answered - it was the hospital gently letting me know Sam had just passed away! (Four days in the hospital). I just drove straight to get Kaydn to school and released the news to Joan, and Kaydn said, "I guess I can't say, 'After while crocodile' anymore." (Teardrops - teardrops - overflowing teardrops)

There is no end to the memories tucked deep in my heart.
(Maybe someday I'll write a book).

Grandma N. G.
May 6, 2010