AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: Time enough to know DATE: 8/03/2009 09:59:00 PM ----- BODY:
My brother and I grew up about a mile from on set of grandparents and just across town from our other grandmother. We saw them regularly. Spent every holiday with them. Had sleepovers with them. Ate Sunday dinners with them.

Now, my parents are 12 hours away. They live around the corner from my brother and his family. Momma talks about the grandchildren coming to play in their backyard. She tells me about the meals they share. Even the Fourth of July was a family gathering complete with a new croquet set for the grandparents' backyard. Bro's kids are taking full advantage of having their grandparents so close by, and that really makes me happy. They are growing up like I remember growing up. Close to family.

My children will have to do things a little differently. We will have to have phone calls and pictures. Emails and blogs replace time around the table. We have to cram a whole lot of loving into short bursts of time.

That's what we did last week. Little Bird spent the week with his Nana and Gee. They were a willing audience and always had a lap available for book time. They were initiated into the Yo Gabba Gabba fan club. Bird was quickly following his Gee around, knocking persistently on the bedroom door when Gee would manage to escape for a moment. There were hugs and kisses and "night night's" for everyone.

Today, Bird and I spent some time looking at pictures on the computer. We got to one of him sitting on Nana's lap, and he pointed while he said, "Nana."

"Yes, that's your Nana, Sweetie. Good job."

We got the the picture above, and I pointed to my daddy.

"Who is that?"

"Baby!"

"Yes, and who is that with Baby?"

"Gee!"

He called them both by name. I kissed his head and sent up a little thankful prayer that it was enough time for him to know them.

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----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Lincoln Warren DATE:Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 12:40:00 AM EDT Nice piece. I'm glad you had a good visit with your folks.

My old man, sister, and her kid came to Texas to see us last weekend. It was great.

Even though ya' know you're right where you need to be for your immediate family, it doesn't make being states away from the extended crowd any easier..... ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Stuart DATE:Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 8:36:00 AM EDT Good stuff Marty. Tonya spent some similar time with our extended family in Memphis last week, but came away thankful for the geographic 'buffer zone' ;) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Bubblewench DATE:Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 1:23:00 PM EDT That makes me cry, in a happy way. Super sweet. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Anonymous DATE:Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 1:52:00 PM EDT You're right, when you live far from family pictures and phone calls have to be the way to keep in touch, but it works. My family lives 3 states away and my boys are very close with their grandpa, aunt/uncle and cousins. When they were young like little Bird we would constantly talk about each member so they would know who each person was. Sounds like you're off to a great start. He can already recognize them in pictures. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous pastormargaret DATE:Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 6:56:00 PM EDT Okay, you made me cry again and will shed more tears when I read your words to Dad. We knew when you were growing up how special it was to have grandparents close--we never took it for granted. But, we never considered what it would be like when you and T3 were grown with your own families. Thanks for the time and for making us "known" to Bird. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Convertible Girl DATE:Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 8:02:00 PM EDT What a blessing for all of you! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:Anonymous Susie DATE:Thursday, August 6, 2009 at 9:25:00 AM EDT I know these feelings well. I grew up in the same zip code as my Dad's parents but we are now 900 miles away. Despite this, my kids have a great relationship with my parents. ----- --------