Beware of what you ask for; you may get it.
At 20 months, the towheaded tyke says little, but sees a lot.
He pokes and pries into every nook and cranny. No rock, nor leaf, nor twig, not worm, nor candy jar lid is left unturned.
It doesn’t matter if the fountain’s covered, he knows water flows beneath the canvas. And after finding a discarded paintbrush, he slides it under the cover into the water. With strokes as big as his little arms can make, he “paints” the patio wet.
He may be small, but he’s not easily fooled. When he’s given a fancy package for Easter, he doesn’t mess around admiring the trappings. Rather, he tears into the box, pulls out the surprise, unwraps the foil covered chocolate egg and stuffs it into his mouth in what seems one swift motion.
All the while the young parents are enjoying every minute they spend with their young son, they have set boundaries. Limited junk food, like chocolate egg, is one rule they can enforce easily at home.
A visit to the grandparents, however, calls for some flexibility on the part of everyone. Grandmother keeps candy in her candy jars. And that is so tempting for one so young. Ahead of a visit, candy jars are temporarily placed out of reach.
But it’s Granddad who is unmistakably the toddler’s favorite friend. The instant he spies his granddad, he reaches out, ready to be picked up. And the gentleman accommodates by scooping the youngster up in firm and steady arms.
For you see, Granddad is the one who lets the child ride atop the hay in the wheelbarrow.
Granddad is the one who taught the preschooler to mimic the cows and say, “mooo…”
Granddad’s the one who lets him explore the fence post hole that stands almost as deep as the youngster is tall.
Granddad babysits.
And Granddad is the one who shares his muffin and Gatorade.
“More,” the child murmurs with each bite.
The day had been long, but the child had been good. He had eaten well, taken a long nap, played hard and entertained all the adults, Granddad most particularly. Night had come and supper had been eaten. It was time to go home.
Safely aloft in his daddy’s arms, the child spots a candy dish which had been moved to the top of the refrigerator. He makes his wishes well known.
Reluctantly, the young parents relent. “All right. Just one piece.” After all, he had eaten a big supper of nourishing foods like meat and potatoes, green beans and squash.
He smiles.
And gingerly, he unwraps his treasure and nibbles.
“Give me a bite,” Granddad teases as he takes the child into his arms one more time. “I gave you a bite of mine; now give me a bite of ours.”
The child shakes his head.
“Come on, give me a little bite,” Granddad coaxes, placing his face close to the face of the youngster.
There is a puzzled look on the child’s face. But Granddad, his friend, his pal, seems so insistent.
So the child obliges. Wit a chocolate coated mouth, the towheaded tyke leans over and…bites Granddad on the check!
Oh!
1985