One of those moments that makes it all worthwhile <3

When I started this little space on the internet, I was a new grandma. Graham was a little tyke filling my heart and thoughts with all manner of material. He was followed by three more who provide no end of thoughts, musings and life lessons. 

But as they get older, there are more and more things that have to be kept close to the heart. They are growing into that place in life where, like our adult children, some things just are meant for my private journal and not the public forum. 

However, last night is a memory meant to be shared as I think it will, hope it will, encourage you at some point in your own journey. 

We were scattered to the four winds even more than usual last night as I ran the in-town car pool schedule and Mommy and Papi were at an out of town game for Emmett and Daddy was earning the bread that keeps this party going. 

My uber route included dropping off for ballet, picking Gdawg up from practice, picking up ballet, dropping off one of the dancers at her house, getting dinner at Chic-fil-A and picking Joel up from his basketball. 

This involved numerous miles that really only covered a 4 mile stretch of road as we looped back and forth over the same blocks of pavement from 4:30 to & 7 PM. 

Graham climbed in the front seat of our Camry with his basketball bag and shoes the size of a small water craft. And his phone. Of course. 

He waited patiently for the 25 minute lag between his practice, her pickup and getting food in his tummy. He chatted some and was on his phone some and proud to pull those shoes out to show me and talk about. 

Chic-fil-A was their usual efficient selves and shortly after 6:30 I had passed a drink holder and two bags of food over to this man-sized human who was already having to squeeze his legs around his sports equipment bag in the front seat. 

I offered to pull into the parking lot of a nearby shopping center to eat under one of the bright lights. He hopped out and put his gear in the trunk and then helped me get the food and drinks situated and we ate in the darkness of the car. 

Then we went back the way from whence we had come to wait for Joel’s practice to finish. As we were leaving the parking lot, I felt so bad for this man child who had left home early for Bible study and gone from there to practice and now was held captive in the front seat of a small car for an hour and half. 

I told him I wished I had enough time to just run him home. He immediately responded, “No way Lola. I like being with you.” 

And that, my friend, is why we still have the Lego giraffe and hippo in the back seat of every car that has been designated as mine since that little guy asked me to keep them in the car so he would have them to play with forever. 

He may have outgrown the toys, the back seat (and really even the front seat) but he still likes being with me. I don’t get to see him nearly as much as I used to and usually it is a quick hug in passing, but his words filled up an empty place that has been wondering if he even remembers hanging out with me all those years.

Best. Day. Ever.