“Grammie! Mummy, Grammie’s here!”
Before I can undo my coat my granddaughter runs at me, arms outstretched.
“Grammie!”
I squat down and catch her as she throws herself at me.
“Grammie, I’m so happy to see you!”
“I’m so happy to see you, too!”
Little arms squeeze my neck. Smiling brown eyes look into mine. “I love you so much, Grammie.”
“I love you so much, too.”
“Are you going to sleep at my house?”
”Yes, I’m going to sleep at your house for three nights.”
A few minutes later and she’s perched on my knee, her arm wrapped behind my neck. “Can we play tomorrow?”
“We sure can.”
“And colour a picture?”
“Sure, we can do that.”
“Maybe we can go for a walk outside?”
“I’d like that. I brought my walking shoes, just in case.”
The voice of authority intrudes on our plans. “Okay, time for bed.”
“Not yet, Mummy.”
“Yes, now. I let you stay up late to see Grammie, but now you have to go to bed.” Mummy is insistent.
“Can Grammie read me a story first?”
“A story?”
“Come on, Mummy. Just one story?” I add my plea.
My daughter looks at me and pulls a face. “Okay, just one story”.
My granddaughter and I look at each other and laugh. “Thanks, Mummy,” we answer.
My daughter joins us on the couch and I open the book.
“Once upon a time…”
Once upon a time everything was right with the world and they lived happily ever after.
And it is. At least for these few precious moments.
Let’s journey together.
© 2008 Denise Budd Rumble
