As a kid I loved summers. And not just because school was finally out. I loved summers because I knew there would be a couple weeks spent with grandpa and grandma in Idaho. Mom and dad would pack us up in the pea-green Ford Maverik (yea...it was awesome) and drive 10 hours to foist us on our maternal grandparents.
Those summer days of my memory were full of magic. We would spend hour upon hour exploring the farm and all it's nooks and crannies, building dams in the river, catching frogs, sneaking fresh peas and carrots from grandma's garden, shooting cans off the fence with bb's, and basically living the care-free life of children. Grandma and grandpa were strict, but in different ways than our parents. And they did allow us little concessions that would never fly at home. My favorite concession was that each child got to pick out one box of cereal. Whatever cereal we wanted. And, as you can imagine, we came home with the most sugary-sweet box we could find. My brother's pick: Captain Crunch. Mine: Froot Loops. Seriously awesome.
The other day I happened to pick up a box of Froot Loops (because they were on sale and I'm not as smart as my mom). This morning I told the girls they could have some. I cracked into the box and opened up the bag. And, the second I did, the smell of those sugar-filled loops made me homesick. Homesick for the farm. Homesick for the smell of the woods. Homesick for my grandparents.
It was at that moment I realized that while I was having the time of my life, there was also a fantastic side-effect. I got to know grandpa and grandma in a way I never would have any other way. And I'm so lucky...and grateful.
Grandpa, I miss you. I know you're in a much better place, but the world isn't the same without you and your "bang!" to keep us hopping.
Grandma, it's been an incredible blessing to have you around to meet my children. They love you...almost as much as I do. And we all hope to see you real soon.
5 comments:
ha ha. I remember counting out the froot loops.
And funny, i remember Fruity Pebbles (which are different in the states) as being the one true cereal.
Did your girls love the fruit loops as much as you? My kids don't realize how nice it is to eat sugary cereal!!! I need to make them eat shredded wheat, so they can gain some appreciation!!!
and now they have fiber in them...doesn't that make them good for you????
My favorite cereal was Apple Jacks. And my mom would never buy those sugar-laced cereals for us. However, like you, my grandma would always have Apple Jacks at her house when we came for a visit. Thank you Grandma!!!
This is so true! I was so lucky to know both sets of my grandparents in such a way. I feel regret for my kiddos that 1. my parents live far away and don't get to see them regularly, 2. my MIL isn't interested in that amount of time with the kids and 3. my dad doesn't especially like my kids (he gets frustrated with them all too easy). :(
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