On Mother's Day (just a few weeks ago), my son brought his family to my house, and brought the meat for the BBQ. It was so nice to get this attention. Many of my widow friends have all shared that it seems when their spouse dies, the family sort of dies too. It seems like a tremendous absence comes over me when I "pine" for my family.
My grand-daughters, who have not been to my house in over 3 years (Betty is now 5 1/2 and Clara is now 4 )...they immediately asked for the "toy box". That wicker chest has had toys in it for a very long time, ever since my other grand-daughter, (who is now 13 1/2) used to play with these toys whenever she visited her "Nana". Once the little girls found the toy box, out came all the toys. This house has not had so much young energy since I have owned it, and I was eagerly anticipating it. Toy number one, "What's this Nana?" Toy number two "Nana, how does this work?". Toy after toy landing on the carpet. Now Toy number three- a plastic magic wand, that whirls around with bright lights in a small globe. I show them how to press the button, dead batteries...my grand-daughter Clara, throws it on the carpet. It didn't work, onto the next let's find other goodies....
I pick up the Whirly Gig, and retrieve some fresh batteries from the garage. The energy of the little girls is filling the room, and I'm talking louder to my son and daughter-in-law, multi-tasking, while putting the new batteries in. The Whirly Gig is not working...I reinstall the fresh batteries, I check the date of the batters, and bang the thing on my hand...no results. So, in an effort to focus on my son, I put the gadget on the counter and forget about it. We are intent on our discussions, I'm answering the "Nana, where's paper? Nana, do you have new crayons?" Loving every moment of it.
After retrieving paper and pen from a desk for my grand-daughters, (I mentally note that perhaps I need to get some fresh crayons???) I return to the kitchen and my son is standing there with his back against the sink, the three of us are talking. In mid sentence, his eyes light up and he looks across at the counter. There, the Whirly Gig, is all lit up and rotating globe with the lights aglow inside. I look over with amazement, knowing fully and understanding WHY it's lit up. "How in the world did that start?" my daughter-in-law says. Me...with calm resolve, reaches over and grabs the item and say, "I kind of know why it's working now and I have my hunches"...I smile about it, and silently laugh knowing that Larry is watching all this love in my home. It is a delight when I hear from him, or my mom (for every penny I find on the street) - it probably was both of their energies, watching their grand daughters (or great grand-daughters) having fun and a visit of love at their Nana's.
Dear reader...this writer just pulled the toy out of the toy box, and pressed the button. It does not work. We had the delight and the message, that's all you get!
Namaste.....Lori