25 April, 2009
Emilia’s Prayer on the Food:
This past Tuesday, "Grandpa Day," I had several of the grandchildren
here. I told them that it was Emilia's (4) turn to offer the prayer on
the food. (Eli (3) prefers to do it himself, as he finishes within 5
seconds flat, and can immediately begin consuming his dinner.)
Emilia asked blessings on everyone - all her cousins and her relatives
in Mexico - by name, her departed ancestor Great, great Grandmother
Emilia “who died and is in heaven with You and with Jesus, and who has
my name” . . ." I believe she even asked a blessing on the food,
though I was into her genealogical resume to such an extent that I am
really not sure . . .
This past Tuesday, "Grandpa Day," I had several of the grandchildren
here. I told them that it was Emilia's (4) turn to offer the prayer on
the food. (Eli (3) prefers to do it himself, as he finishes within 5
seconds flat, and can immediately begin consuming his dinner.)
Emilia asked blessings on everyone - all her cousins and her relatives
in Mexico - by name, her departed ancestor Great, great Grandmother
Emilia “who died and is in heaven with You and with Jesus, and who has
my name” . . ." I believe she even asked a blessing on the food,
though I was into her genealogical resume to such an extent that I am
really not sure . . .
Grandpa’s Ears:
Then, as we drove Emilia and Levi home, Emilia began asking questions:
"Grandpa, why is it that sometimes you don't understand me when I
speak to you in Spanish and sometimes you don't understand when I talk
to you in English?"
Not wanting to admit that my vocabulary doesn't necessarily include
all her vocabulary, I responded, "Because my ears are old."
"Is your nose old too?"
"Yes"
"Is your mouth old?"
"Yes."
"Are your eyes old too?"
"Yes, all my parts are old." (I was laughing so hard under my breath
it was hard to respond.)
"I know some other people that are old: My Grandma Celia is old, and
My Grandpa Rogelio is old, and my great grandma Cresencia and my
Great, great Grandmother Emilia who died and is in heaven with
Heavenly Father and Jesus, and who has my same name, and your mother
and your father that died are old. But my silly Uncle Rogelio is not
old like you . . ."
I was now laughing so hard that it took a minute before I could
translate all this to English for Patti, who was driving. I already
have Emilia pegged as the next generation's genealogist for the Fred
and Pat Romney clan.
The grandchildren all give us joy, and after all, aren't we supposed
to have it abundantly? We are so glad to have grandchildren who know
to fold their arms when someone says, "It is time for prayer." What a
precious thing it is to see the little ones being raised by their
parents to do good things. We love life, and love the whole clan. May
we all have good health and times of laughter!
Letter to Cynthia Schultz, author of the Courier Journal’s Grand Times column
May 20, 2009
Then, as we drove Emilia and Levi home, Emilia began asking questions:
"Grandpa, why is it that sometimes you don't understand me when I
speak to you in Spanish and sometimes you don't understand when I talk
to you in English?"
Not wanting to admit that my vocabulary doesn't necessarily include
all her vocabulary, I responded, "Because my ears are old."
"Is your nose old too?"
"Yes"
"Is your mouth old?"
"Yes."
"Are your eyes old too?"
"Yes, all my parts are old." (I was laughing so hard under my breath
it was hard to respond.)
"I know some other people that are old: My Grandma Celia is old, and
My Grandpa Rogelio is old, and my great grandma Cresencia and my
Great, great Grandmother Emilia who died and is in heaven with
Heavenly Father and Jesus, and who has my same name, and your mother
and your father that died are old. But my silly Uncle Rogelio is not
old like you . . ."
I was now laughing so hard that it took a minute before I could
translate all this to English for Patti, who was driving. I already
have Emilia pegged as the next generation's genealogist for the Fred
and Pat Romney clan.
The grandchildren all give us joy, and after all, aren't we supposed
to have it abundantly? We are so glad to have grandchildren who know
to fold their arms when someone says, "It is time for prayer." What a
precious thing it is to see the little ones being raised by their
parents to do good things. We love life, and love the whole clan. May
we all have good health and times of laughter!
Letter to Cynthia Schultz, author of the Courier Journal’s Grand Times column
May 20, 2009
Dear Grandmother Schultz,
As I approached retirement several years ago, I planted blackberries,
raspberries, and strawberries so that the grandchildren, yet to be
born, would be able to pick berries with me. After the grandchildren
began to appear, we invited them to gather the fruits of the garden.
As I approached retirement several years ago, I planted blackberries,
raspberries, and strawberries so that the grandchildren, yet to be
born, would be able to pick berries with me. After the grandchildren
began to appear, we invited them to gather the fruits of the garden.
Abuelo Moras:
My little 2-year-old bi-lingual granddaughter Emilia, on arriving at
Grandpa's house would call "Abuelo Moras!" (Grandpa Blackberries!)
We would go to the back yard and pick berries and eat them together.
My little 2-year-old bi-lingual granddaughter Emilia, on arriving at
Grandpa's house would call "Abuelo Moras!" (Grandpa Blackberries!)
We would go to the back yard and pick berries and eat them together.
Picking Strawberries:
When my (then) three-year-old grandson Parker was in a full body cast
while recuperating from a spiral fracture in his leg, I held him up
over the strawberries and had him pick berries. He pulled on one
enormous berry and the entire plant came up. I remember thinking, "Had
this been my child, I probably would have instructed him on how you
have to hold the stem with one hand and pull the berry with the
other." But this was my grandson. "Pull up another plant if you need
to. It's OK," I thought. Amazing how perspective changes with
grandchildren!
When my (then) three-year-old grandson Parker was in a full body cast
while recuperating from a spiral fracture in his leg, I held him up
over the strawberries and had him pick berries. He pulled on one
enormous berry and the entire plant came up. I remember thinking, "Had
this been my child, I probably would have instructed him on how you
have to hold the stem with one hand and pull the berry with the
other." But this was my grandson. "Pull up another plant if you need
to. It's OK," I thought. Amazing how perspective changes with
grandchildren!
Grandpa Days – in Spanish:
One daughter-in-law wanted to finish her college work at the
University of Louisville at the same time that I retired, so I began
to hold "Grandpa Days." Each Tuesday and every Thursday I invite all
the little grandchildren to come to Grandma and Grandpa's house while
their moms have a little time to attend classes, work, clean house, or
relax. Grandpa and his little team eat, read books, play games, sing
songs, go for walks, make up stories, blow bubbles, catch balls, munch
on berries, and generally have fun. It is a bonding time with the
little ones. Much of the time I speak Spanish to them. It was
especially gratifying when Monica called to tell me that when she
asked Eli (three years old) to do something, and he responded, "Un
momento, por favor!" I see that not only are they learning turn-taking
and sharing, but a second language is coming along as well!
I, like you, look forward to the summer with the grandkids. Outdoor
exploring is such fun, as the little ones notice the bugs and birds
and creatures of every sort. I enjoy your down-to-earth columns and
appreciate the opportunity to participate. Thanks for the invitation
to share some ideas. I will write again, as I am perhaps one of
the happiest grandpas around!
Dear Grandmother Schultz,
Thank you for your sweet message in reply to my emails, and for
printing the story . . . What fun it is to see some of my
grandchildren's names and experiences in print!
One daughter-in-law wanted to finish her college work at the
University of Louisville at the same time that I retired, so I began
to hold "Grandpa Days." Each Tuesday and every Thursday I invite all
the little grandchildren to come to Grandma and Grandpa's house while
their moms have a little time to attend classes, work, clean house, or
relax. Grandpa and his little team eat, read books, play games, sing
songs, go for walks, make up stories, blow bubbles, catch balls, munch
on berries, and generally have fun. It is a bonding time with the
little ones. Much of the time I speak Spanish to them. It was
especially gratifying when Monica called to tell me that when she
asked Eli (three years old) to do something, and he responded, "Un
momento, por favor!" I see that not only are they learning turn-taking
and sharing, but a second language is coming along as well!
I, like you, look forward to the summer with the grandkids. Outdoor
exploring is such fun, as the little ones notice the bugs and birds
and creatures of every sort. I enjoy your down-to-earth columns and
appreciate the opportunity to participate. Thanks for the invitation
to share some ideas. I will write again, as I am perhaps one of
the happiest grandpas around!
Dear Grandmother Schultz,
Thank you for your sweet message in reply to my emails, and for
printing the story . . . What fun it is to see some of my
grandchildren's names and experiences in print!
Invitation:
I wanted to invite you to drop on by if ever you are in the
Clarksville area. The grandkids are usually here on Thursdays from
about 9:00 AM till mid afternoon. They are all invited for the day. On
Tuesdays for the summer, I schedule by appointment so that I can take
the little ones on excursions more easily. (I have two car seats in my
car, not four or five or six . . .) This next Tuesday I'll take Emilia
and Levi to the Bass Pro Shop where we will see the stuffed animals
and where we'll watch the fish in the morning. We'll return for the
afternoon, I imagine.
I wanted to invite you to drop on by if ever you are in the
Clarksville area. The grandkids are usually here on Thursdays from
about 9:00 AM till mid afternoon. They are all invited for the day. On
Tuesdays for the summer, I schedule by appointment so that I can take
the little ones on excursions more easily. (I have two car seats in my
car, not four or five or six . . .) This next Tuesday I'll take Emilia
and Levi to the Bass Pro Shop where we will see the stuffed animals
and where we'll watch the fish in the morning. We'll return for the
afternoon, I imagine.
Talking Catfish:
A couple of years ago, I took Parker (still three at the time, but out
of his body cast) to watch the fish. Within a few minutes a large
catfish came to the window and twice opened and closed its enormous
mouth. Parker turned to me with a startling realization: "Grandpa!
That fish knows my name! It said, PAAARRRKERRRR!
I don't know what Levi's discoveries will be at the Bass Pro Shop, but
I am excited to watch him there. Emilia (4) will probably tell him all
about the animals and give him a guided tour. I'll be the engine that pushes the
two of them around (and listens to their conversations and
discoveries.) I'll be watching for your next article. It is fun to see
your perspective on life as a grandparent.
Sincerely,
Fred Romney
Cynthia Schultz's Grand Times column for grandparents appears
occasionally. To suggest ideas, call (502) 582-4202, send a fax to
(502) 582-7080 or send e-mail to neighborhoods@courier-journal.com.
A couple of years ago, I took Parker (still three at the time, but out
of his body cast) to watch the fish. Within a few minutes a large
catfish came to the window and twice opened and closed its enormous
mouth. Parker turned to me with a startling realization: "Grandpa!
That fish knows my name! It said, PAAARRRKERRRR!
I don't know what Levi's discoveries will be at the Bass Pro Shop, but
I am excited to watch him there. Emilia (4) will probably tell him all
about the animals and give him a guided tour. I'll be the engine that pushes the
two of them around (and listens to their conversations and
discoveries.) I'll be watching for your next article. It is fun to see
your perspective on life as a grandparent.
Sincerely,
Fred Romney
Cynthia Schultz's Grand Times column for grandparents appears
occasionally. To suggest ideas, call (502) 582-4202, send a fax to
(502) 582-7080 or send e-mail to neighborhoods@courier-journal.com.
June 20, 2009
Invitation to Contribute:
A couple weeks ago Cynthia Schultz, who does the GRANDTIMES column inInvitation to Contribute:
the Louisville Courier Journal newspaper invited readers to contribute
1) their "plans for summertime with grandchildren," and 2) "touching
thoughts my grandchildren have said." I contributed in both
categories, and she published the summertime submission as
"Clarksville Man Savors Sweet Times."
