My grandkids call me “Nina” and my husband “PeePaw” — no idea how THAT came about, but it’s what they want. I called my grandmother Nana — and that name seems almost sacred to me, as she was the one I could count on and also the one I took care of, when I was still at our house.
An interesting story about colored chalk and sidewalks, if you have the time to listen (read): The one girlfriend I have is just about as opposite of me as one could be. Yet somehow we manage. She preferred her kids to “toe the line”, and I was way more laid-back than that! Once, visiting her in her townhouse, when her kids were in middle school (as was my daughter), she sent them out with colored chalk. (Secretly, I wanted to go with them…but had to ADULT for awhile). Anyway, after she and I were through with whatever we were doing, I was getting ready to leave, and we opened her front door — to find that her two kids had decorated the landing, the stairs and the sidewalk in glorious color and designs! I said “WOW!” At the same time my friend said “Good Lord,” in a very dissatisfied and disappointed voice. It was “too much” for her and she had them wash it all away. Our two completely opposite reactions to seeing the same thing became a hallmark of our friendship. Kinda weird, I know.
I’ve not yet been able to take mine to the movies — I suppose that time will come. Our grandson is tied up with his Tae Kwon Do and just won his black belt. Our granddaughter won’t leave his side — so it is working around them and their schedules that is difficult, as is working around my husband (who is disabled and fighting cancer), and our dog, Madison, who is 16 1/2 and also fighting cancer.
So I do the best I can….and hope that more will happen in the future. I want them to know a world of magic, and surprises, and yes, mischief!
