Julian came over yesterday as it was Thursday, Grandma Day! We played in the leaves under our birch trees. Of course Julian doesn’t have any sense of the value of gold, but I always think of gold coins when I see the birch leaves scattered over lawns, and streets. They hang in the autumn sunlight in the nearly bare trees and catch the golden tones of slanted warmth and suddenly the world seems very rich. Before long Jonae arrived and I sat in the sun while her and Julian tossed those “gold coins” into the breeze and caught them in their hair. It was indeed a rich moment, a priceless memory.
I was telling my friend Judy, I never feel like I have to rush when I’m with Julian. I can walk slowly, watch two Sesame Street shows in a row, and linger over milk and cookies and feel absolutely no guilt at all! We did get an awkward look from the man shelving videos when we played “sneak up” on uncle TJ at the Library, but the guy needed loosening up a little! We stopped at the platform set up on the library lawn to do an impromptu clog dance (by the way, Danskos sound great on plywood). It was Uncle TJ’s turn to shoot awkward glances at us, but on such a glorious autumn day, SOMEONE SHOULD BE DANCING! Therefore, we danced! Time well spent.
I know grandmas should have a modicum of dignity and grace about them, mine did, but I just haven’t figured that part out yet. For now I think I’ll just enjoy the moments and hopefully the dignity and grace will come with the gray hair. It is these undignified moments that make me feel rich, bought with the “golden coins” falling from the birch trees in our yard.
