FaMiLy FuN dAy SuNdAy

"Grandparents, like heroes, are as necessary to a child's growth as vitamins."

- Joyce Allston



About a year ago, my grandfather moved to Overland Park. It was a bitter sweet time for him because he had lost his best friend and partner in life, my grandmother that past October. He moved here from Las Cruces, NM, where he had expected to live the rest of his life. When my grandma, my dad's mother passed away, well before we had all expected, my heartbroken grandpa needed to be closer to his family. He chose Overland Park, because it's only two hours from my parents and my aunt lives here. I have loved having my grandfather close, but I've not had as much time with him as I'd like due to my work schedule and crazy happenings that often occur in our life. I do get to see him once every couple months when he gets his hair cut next to my store. He comes in to buy his fish oil and vitamin D and visits for a bit. It is always the highlight of my day and being the scheduled guy he is, he's always my first customer of the day.

Now that my daycare lady has required every other Sunday off, I get to be off two Sundays a month. I have been planning each Sunday to do something fun with family, so last week I called Grandpa to see if he would like to have lunch with Koko Bean, my brother Polly Wog (he's going to hate me for this,) and myself. There was no pause. There was no "let me check my schedule." It was just "what time and where." We decided to have lunch at 11am sharp (Grandpa usually says he wants to beat the old folks... eh hem.) When he asked where, I told him to decide. Once again, there was not a pause. Grandpa being the decisive man that he is, opted to have lunch at his independent retirement living center.

When we arrived, I knew Grandpa would be standing at the door, checking his watch. Sure enough, I hadn't even shut the car door when I heard his welcome. As we walked through the doors and signed in, we were greeted by many of his friends and some of the staff. We continued to walk through the center to the cafeteria as people ooh'ed and awed at Koko Bean. She sat quietly in her stroller, taking it all in, as each person was introduced to us. Koko Bean didn't say a whole lot during all of the meeting and greeting but man, she was the talk of the cafeteria.

Grandpa led us through the cafeteria to a room he had reserved just for our lunch. It was decorated beautifully with a huge dining room table that seated seven to eight people. There was a rich red table runner across the table, and it was set with all the place settings for eight. Grandpa had invited two couples to have lunch with us. There was Maryenelle (forgive me if I spelled it wrong) and her husband, and Eve and her husband, Smitty. It appeared as if we had a connection with each individual at the table. Eve was a GNC customer of mine. Her husband was a WWII fighter pilot. Maryenelle was from Pittburg, KS and was a graduate of Pitt State like myself. Her husband was from Lawrence, KS, where my brother lives and goes to school.

We chatted while we ate. They were interested in Polly Wog's attendance at the KU Chemical Engineering School. Polly Wog talked shop with them about the petroleum industry as that is one of his three minors. Mostly, we listened. I enjoyed hearing stories about their rowdy bridge games and the inside joke everyone has about my grandpa. Apparently, during happy hour one Friday evening, my grandfather was capable of knocking over every one's wine glasses, spilling them all over the table. Now I know where my klutz gene came from. Don't think this was a incident of old age though. My grandfather is a young 86 years old. He is probably the only man there not in a walker or wheelchair and there is no doubt that his mind is still as sharp as a tack.

After playing peek-a-boo under the table with Eve, Koko Bean was starting to get tired and ready for her nap. We headed up to Grandpa's apartment for another half hour of visiting, but then had to head home so Koko Bean could partake in a much needed siesta. Momma and Uncle Polly Wog needed one too.

We each took our naps, then we headed back to Lawrence to take Uncle Polly Wog grocery shopping and to dinner. Each time we got out of the vehicle my brother retrieved his niece from her car seat as she stared at him in awe. I don't know what it is about my brother, but Koko Bean is always very shy around him. She even admitted it one day this week. "I like Uncle Polly Wog, but I shy." We ate at a wonderful Italian restaurant on Mass Street in Lawrence. Koko Bean was not exactly well-behaved as she was playing musical chairs between her high chair and a regular chair. When it was time to go though, she was ready. I followed my baby brother and my daughter back down the Mass Street sidewalk to the car. I am so amazed at their relationship and their similarities. Both are incredibly smart, and they have a connection that you wouldn't understand until you saw it.

We said our goodbyes and 'I yuv you's' to Uncle Polly Wog and headed home. When we got home, we were greeted by Daddy and cousin J.T. The four of us went for walk then Daddy and I played with Koko Bean on our big, California King bed. She belly laughed as Daddy tickled her and Flex nibbled at her. We finally got her settled down and Daddy rocked her to sleep.

It is days like this where my mind races at the end of the day. It's not because I'm worried, but it's because I want to replay this kind of day every day of Koko Bean's life. It makes me want to think outside the box. It makes me wish I could stay at home with her always, even though there's no way we'd ever really stay home. One day I hope that I don't have to be at the store as much, so I can spend more days like this with my Koko Bean. Until then, I will continue to make each moment count and I will soak in each giggle, each tantrum, and each loving hug around my neck. These days are passing us by faster than we realize.