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Sad Home Going...

The visit with our daughter Jill, her husband Jason, and the four grandchildren in Wisconsin went by too quickly.

We were able to spend some special time with Jill when the family was gone. We took her to lunch and she and I did lots of shopping by ourselves. I found the thrift stores in Wisconsin to be full of treasures. I came home with a beautiful nativity set, two pairs of jeans, a top, and a sweater. All looked new. Some with tags.

Jackson, their French Bulldog, and Samson, their English Bulldog were excited to see us. We are not dog people but we were able to exist peacefully. We got a kick out of both dogs for all their individual traits. Jackson guards food. It doesn't matter who has the food he stands on guard until every morsel is gone, I'm assuming to make sure he gets a crumb if it drops. He chases Samson away from the food area. And just looking at chunky Samson brings a smile to your face.

While R hung around the house I went to three fourth grade classes on Friday afternoon to be a mystery reader for the triplets. I'm not sure they were all that surprised that I showed up because they'd asked me beforehand. But they didn't know the day or time or if I'd show up. I read a quickly picked book from the nearby library called THE WITCHY BROOM. I picked it because it was short enough and ended with a bit of suspense. Jill took several photos of me in their classrooms and posted them on Facebook. That one day was the highlight of the trip for me - mostly because I had the opportunity to be with the grandchildren, to meet their teachers, and to encourage all the children to read read read. Of course I  mentioned that I write and urged them to try their hand at writing.

That evening we treated them to pizza and cupcakes for their birthdays. Austin was six Oct. 14, and Mackenzie, Tanner, and Chase will be ten on Oct. 24.
We gave them their gifts. Books, of course. Books are food for the soul, in my eyes! And the books seemed to be a hit.

The weather was exceptional for our entire visit with the fall colors not quite gone.

One day I made a pot of delicious Thia Chicken Soup made with  fresh cilantro and coconut milk.  I picked up only two fans with it. Jill and Jason. R said it was okay and the kiddies said no thanks and ate leftover Chinese food from the night before. Jill loved the soup and she and I polished off the last bowl of the double batch. If anyone wants the recipe I'll be glad to share.

Our home going was sad. Some tears. Lots of hugs. ( I just knew it was time to leave after six days. We were tired and they were too. We've learned it's  best to leave while everyone is still in love.)

However, I always leave a part of myself with them and I bring  home a part of them with me.

A few months back, Mackenzie gave me a half of a heart on a chain and she kept the other half for herself. It reminds us that we are in each other's hearts she said.

Grandchildren are a precious commodity. Not one you can give away or trade. But one that touches your soul and stays in your heart.

Blessings!

Comments

  1. I love that you and your granddaughter share a heart. A special relationship.

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  2. What a great time! I think it's really nice that you spent time with the kids in their classes. I was able to do that with my Granddaughter a few times and it really gives you a chance to see how their lives are every day and see another side of their personality. Sounds like a fun trip!

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  3. I'm glad you had this opportunity to spend with your daughter and her family. I'm sure the kids loved having their grandma there to read to them. How fun to have triplets! I love it when I have grandparents visit my classroom. I see the kids from a different perspective and learn things I might never have known. Grandparents are so special, and treasured.

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  4. Sounds like a great visit. My mom used to love yard sales and thrift stores and we went to a few together. I guess that is who I took after. I would love reading aloud to classrooms of small children.

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  5. It's always so good to see them and then your heart breaks when it's time to leave. There's no difference between grandchildren and children -- the missing them is the same.

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  6. So glad you had this special time. I wish more grandmas would come into classrooms to read. I'll bet you're already looking forward to the next visit.

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  7. Thanks for all the comments. It was so much fun reading to the "grands."
    I do hope to do it next year. But who knows what tomorrow brings.
    Blessings.

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  8. It sounds like a great time. :) Children are a blessing.

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