Heart Memories

This has been a precious weekend for me.

Visits to Raleigh are too few…and all the more precious for it. When one of my boys decides to come this way with a grandchild in tow…oh, my that is an EVENT!

My middle son was on a “Daddy-Daughter” weekend with Desaray, who just turned four. She is the shy one, while her sister, who is eight, is the outgoing, gregarious one. Having some one-on-one time with either is a treat, and I looked forward to this so very much!

They arrived Friday afternoon - seemed like she’s grown a foot since Christmas! I’m sure it wasn’t quite that much - but toddler is pretty much gone, replaced by a dainty little faerie-like child - I almost expected to see wings! She gave me a smile…and a hesitant hug - been a while, and she needed time to warm up.

Once in the house, she relaxed - there was Rue-dog - who originally belonged to my son, but has been mine since before Desaray was born - but who was a regular visitor at their house. Now she grabbed my hand, wanting a tour of the house, inside and out. She promptly locked every door she passed, until Dad caught her and put a stop to that! While we adults talked, she sat in the corner with the dog, carefully observing the ‘one-hand-petting’ rule.

Way too soon, we had to leave for the softball game, and they to the hotel for a walk on the beach and bedtime. Saturday would be another day….

Saturday brought them back bright and early - and I had a baking-helper as I made waffles from scratch - somehow they were just better when a four-year-old has done some of the stirring. We all dug into them, while she was more interested in her stuffed animal - not a big eater, this one…

Then we were off to the beach - the day was wonderful - sunshine, 80s outside, the sand was warm, and the beach was not crowded - perfect! We got right down to the serious business of building a sand-castle - I had a reputation to uphold - for her Daddy had told her of his sand-castle exploits. I was up to muster, as she traveled back and forth to the water, carefully bringing bucketfuls to me.

I’d forgotten how quickly little ones move on to other things - she quickly got bored with the sand castle - now we needed to walk….just on the edge of the water. Brrrrr - I tell ya - the ocean was cold enough to make your feet numb! Good thing the sun was out. Desaray was here, there, everywhere, running, jumping - showing me all her ‘cool’ moves.

Each dog we came to on our walk had to be met, talked to, and petter - the fact that they were all bigger than she was did not scare her - her shyness does not include animals. We also examined all kinds of ’stuff’ on the beach - stones for Daddy to skip across the water (he’s really good at that!), little critters that she would hold, then decide they were gross, and put back down. She found a dog collar, and made up an entire story as to where the owner had gone…. examined sticks and seaweed, but oddly, no shells.

Done with the walk, it was off to the indoor pool - the outdoor one being full of ice water. The indoor pool was like a fairy-tale grotto, complete with waterfalls and a river with a gentle current to gently push you around. She liked this - except for the waterfalls - and to avoid them, she’d climb out of the pool, walk to the far steps on the other side, and come back into the water there. Around and round we went, letting the water carry us in single file round the back of the ‘mountain’ the waterfall came from.

All the action took it’s toll, and cranky showed up - oooh, she was not so pleasant - so it was time for that nap….I was surprised that she did not object to the idea…and I came home while she napped - getting things done so we could go out to dinner.

Dinner was an experience - for us adults it was the ultimate seafood buffet….notable for all the kinds of shrimp, oysters, clams, and most of all….crab legs. Desaray accepted the shrimp, declard the crawdads as ‘gross’ and would not try the crab legs. A few carrots and some dip, and she was happy. Then she needed to go to the ‘bafroom’ - and I was enlisted to help her out. She stood patiently in line (why is there ALWAYS a line?), and then gently told me she did NOT need my help, but would I just stand outside. She got smiles from the whole line with that! So I did - and when she opened the door I whispered to her….did you flush? She looked at me, backed up, closed the door, locked it - and…..silence. The door unlocks again, and there she is by the jon…not knowing that the silver button on the top was to be pushed - there was no handle….cracked me up! Along with everyone else. So I did the honors, pushing the button, and the resulting noise and rush of water scared her right out the door! She did remember to wash her hands and dry them….and being a ‘big girl’ would not hold my hand on the way back - she knew where the table was…and led the way!

So ended Saturday….today was a strictly “Daddy-Daughter” - but I will get to see her for breakfast tomorrow morning….and collect a few more memories to tuck away in my heart. Heart-memories….the very best kind!

May 4, 2008 |

Comments

3 Comments so far

RealWorldMom, Moms May 4, 2008 8:56 pm
Desaray sounds like the most adorable four-year-old ever! I’m so glad you had a nice visit! You’re an awesome Grandma!
Joeprah, Dads May 5, 2008 6:56 am
What a great story. I enjoyed reading your perspective. I always wonder what my parents think about our little visits, I mean I know they love seeing the grandkids but it is cool reading your thoughts on the subject.
Buzz, Crafting May 6, 2008 6:25 am
and “she” will have beautiful memories of you too.