Always Learning

Over the past couple of days, I’ve had the privilege of taking care of my youngest two grandchildren, first the six-year-old, J, who assured me that he will be seven in March, and then the five-year-old, E.

Those of you who are grandparents will know they were wonderful, if slightly exhausting, days, full of questions that I think I’ll remember forever, but won’t. As E repeatedly tells me, “Old people forget.”

Who Teaches Who?

The questions began as soon as J arrived. He listened carefully as his uncle, who spent the day with us, explained why stretching the bread dough promotes further gluten development. J’s eyes grew wide. “Grammy, your son just taught his mother.”

“Why, yes, he does that a lot. He’s a very clever guy.”

Throughout that day, J listened to see when my son would inform me of something I didn’t know. Since my son works in an area that I never have, and has interests that are different from mine, it happened a lot.

Then, J told me something that I hadn’t heard before.

“Oh, I didn’t know that!” I responded.

This really blew his mind. He had taught his grandmother. Unfortunately, I don’t remember what J taught me because, yeah, old people forget!

More Questions

The next day, E came. He settled in his chair, prepared to enjoy a snack, and told me, “I’m so happy that I get to enjoy you guys all day.”

Of course, Grandpa’s and my hearts were warmed. “And we get to enjoy you all day.”

He thought for a moment. “We get to enjoy each other.”

After a rousing game of marble run, which may have involved making lots of noise from marbles that “escaped,” he had another question. My mother lives with us, and it was about her. “Grammy, did Oma ever have any grandchildren?”

“Yes, your dad is her grandchild.”

He grinned. “Well, that’s silly.” On to another topic. “Can you help me build something?” (We have a construction set.)

“Oh, you’ll need Grandpa for that.”

So, E got his grandfather and the two worked together, with E practicing ‘left loosey and righty tighty.’

A World Full of Wonder

Later that day, my 16-year-old granddaughter came over. Listening to the chatter from the other room and remembering her work with little ones, she observed how much we all have to know just to get through each day, and marveled at what babies have to learn.

I smiled, knowing how much I still have to learn, and being grateful for the God who created a world that’s anything but boring. And children and grandchildren who teach me so much!