I promised myself to be mindful of Heart Tugs, times when heartstrings tighten. I’ve shared other Heart Tugs columns and when I reread those, I relive memories. While Daughter’s and Son’s families, Husband and I spent time together on a beach vacation, I made notes every day.
One Grand’s flu diagnosis delayed his and Son2’s (aka son-in-law) arrival. Strep throat kept another Grand isolated for two days. So, when all fourteen of us finally sat or played near the water’s edge, I wanted to shout “Hallelujah!” but didn’t because our teen-age Grands would have run for cover.
I sent an early morning text: Anyone want to walk on the beach with me? About 7:30? Son responded: I’ll meet you there. Only the two of us, a rare happening.
“Hey Gran, can Micah and I spend the night with you and Pop in your condo?” nine-year-old Neil asked. These cousins helped me make-up their bedtime Purple Cow story and the next morning they sat side-by-side at the kitchen counter asking each other riddles. Their original riddles didn’t make sense, but they giggled like little boys do.
I burned the first batch of pancakes. Neil said, “It’s okay, Gran. You get a do-over.”
Son2 and two of his daughters, ages 14 and 16, walked together. His arms wrapped around his girls’ waists and both draped an arm across their dad’s shoulders. It’s said that a dad is a girl’s first boyfriend; he teaches her the love and respect to expect in relationships. Son2 is teaching his girls well.
Husband and I invited Dean out for lunch to celebrate his 12th birthday. “You may invite anyone – parents, aunt, uncle, cousins, siblings,” we told him. “Just me,” Dean said. Pictures don’t capture the fun we three shared.
A picture did capture all of us together at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park entrance where a young woman held a camera and said, “Line up in front of that backdrop. Tallest in the back.” Seconds later she clicked her camera.
“Mom, that could be your Christmas card picture,” Daughter said. Probably not. The backdrop gave Son2 a sting ray growing out of his head and a dolphin kissed Son’s head. My white cap disappeared in a white ocean wave. One young Grand teased me: “Gran, you’re bald on top and have hair sticking way out by your ears.”
Elsie, age 16, stood beside an ocean kayak. “Who wants to ride with me?” she asked. Her younger siblings and cousins lined up for turns.
Husband, standing at the shoreline, announced, “Scavenger hurt!” Paper trash, a feather, a shell. In less than a minute, five Grands held those items in hand.
Eight-year-old Ann called, “Gran!” after I’d kissed her goodnight, tucked her in, and almost closed her bedroom door. I turned toward her. She whispered, “I love you, Gran.”
Heart Tugs. However brief. However rare. However common. I catch all I can to relive and cherish.
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Susan Writes 