The spark and delight of cause and effect…infectious!
Sky a brilliant blue. Cool crisp autumn air. The day perfect. The time was ours. At least for an hour or so. A new multicolored fleece lined LL Bean hat secured under a precious little chin, a complimentary deep raspberry early winter jacket for warmth and shearling booties completed her outerwear. Big expressive brown eyes, a button nose, and the broad smile of a fourteen-month-old peered up at me as she was being secured into her stroller. We shared an eager anticipatory reflection of our pending adventure. First solo stroller walk for this Gram and Belle was about to be underway. No real rules just an imposed curfew. Be back for nap time…
Our mission was simple. Straightforward. I had ordered crayons and construction paper from a local children’s store for this budding artist first thing in the morning and before the day had officially started. Toddler crayons in two different designs as I wanted Belle to choose what felt most comfortable in her tiny little hands. Our order for pick-up was ready. We floated along. We owned the sidewalks. The sweet scent of pine wafted through the morning air. A fireplace burning in a nearby home. Tree lined streets. Gold, red, and a deep orange highlighted the transitional leaves. Hydrangeas deepening in purple hues…
The sights and sounds of the city electrified our walk. A group of young early school age children in vibrant colored safety vests navigated the sidewalk as a unit while guided by their two teachers. My mind flashed forward to Belle’s preschool years. First soccer games when her shin guards will be only inches long. The sound of children happily playing at a nearby school warmed my heart. It will be soon enough that she will be participating but for today it was just we two…
Crossing Massachusetts Avenue just outside Boston seemed worthy of a state police escort. Suddenly there were minefields everywhere. The cars seemed faster. The city busses bigger. The precious passenger in the stroller was relaxed while I cautiously and carefully crossed the city street hesitantly trusting the crossing signal. I checked, rechecked, and checked again for any disobedient travelers.
On the other side of the busy street and just a mile or so further we would reach our destination. My excitement continued to rise with each quick step forward. Introducing my granddaughter to the thrill of creating was a gift I couldn’t wait to share. Lines and random crayon marks would soon appear on a blank sheet of paper. A first drawing. A masterpiece that would proudly hang on her parents’ refrigerator…
The package was secured. The clock was ticking as nap time was quickly approaching. The quickest route home was via the bike path. I was familiar with the short cuts as I have walked them countless times with my daughter and Belle. Freewheeling our way back. Running and weaving to the delight of my granddaughter. Feeling as free and carefree as the young child seated in the stroller. We arrived home just shy of curfew…
Post nap fun was nothing short of my expectation. She was fascinated with the crayons and the magic of making marks. Yes, she carried them, sat on one and teased me with wanting to taste another. The spark and delight of cause and effect…infectious!
“Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting.” — Unknown
