I made it there and back home again – to Long Island that is!

It was so nice to see Michael, Kathy and, of course, my granddaughter Grace.  We haven’t been together since Thanksgiving so this visit was much overdue.  Long stretches between our visits is unavoidable really.   We each lead lives that are busy with basic survival tasks like working, groceries, laundry and the like, and though we do stay in touch via telephone I don’t have to tell you it just isn’t the same.

Nothing can beat . . . “Grandma, will you play with me?” . . . “Grandma, will you play with me?” . . .  “Grandma. . .”

My reply, “Of course, I’ll play with you,” as I climb off the couch onto the floor and am grateful I’ve lost a pound or two making this downward trek easier.

Grace, now almost 2 1/2, knows her own mind and makes the rules when a commitment is made to play together.  They’re good rules really, rules we might want to incorporate into our everyday lives.

So . . . here they are – The Rules According to Grace:

Rule #1 – No multitasking is allowed.   If you’re playing, just play.

Rule # 2 – No conversations across the room; talk and listen to who you’re with.

Rule #3 – When you’re playing stay focused.

Rule #4 – Don’t get so hung up on how to play, just play.  Dumping things in a pile is fine.

Rule #5 – It’s okay to sing “Frosty the Snow Man” year round!

Rule No. 6 – When you’re at the Mall look at everything and ask lots of questions later.

Rule No. 7 – Take a nap if you need one.

Rule No. 8 – Snack often.

Rule No. 9 – Always ask for three minutes more if you’re having fun.

Rule No. 10 – Give and receive hugs liberally.

The two full days spent together was such fun (and tiring), but mostly fun. There’s nothing like grandmotherhood but I can’t emphasize enough that God knew what he was doing when he made the younger set the parents and we the older set the grands.

As I settle back into my life I miss them already.

Brothers... That's Jonathan (L) & Michael. They're grown up now but to me they'll always be little!

The morning temperature is -4 degrees!  Oh my! I could tell it was cold as I opened the door to let Penny out and a gust of bitter cold air rushed inside and surrounded my bare legs.  Brrr….!

This winter season has been relentless and cold as the dickens, not to mention the mounds of snow that still tower in white along the roadways.  Luckily there is no snow in the forecast since I’ll be on the road shortly for a long drive – nearly 200 miles – to Long Island where I’ll be visiting my son (Michael) and his family (Kathy and Grace).   I’d better pack some extra woolly and warm clothes for my trip Downstate.

The cycle of life is a funny and interesting thing.  We raise our children from infancy to become caring and responsible adults and when they emerge into the most amazing people you’re proud.  My “little chickens” (my twin sons) have both settled away from home – one in Vermont and the other on Long Island.  I wonder sometimes why we can’t all live closer to one another, but that was not to be.  I am lucky that we are a relatively short drive away from each other and that they both have built happy and independent lives.  That’s what we want for our children (no doubt) and we then find lives of our own without them around on a day-to-day basis.  So when we can converge and spend a few days together it’s something to savor.

Well . . . enough of that sentimental chatter.  I’ve gotta get going!

That's my youngest son, Michael and Grace, of course!

I’m getting ready to travel tomorrow morning, first thing.  It’s been a couple of months since I’ve seen my son Michael and his family who live on Long Island and I’m looking very much forward to it.  More later . . . gotta get packing.