Part 6 - Days in the life of a grandpa -

A little granddaughter reaches out across three generations.... -

Last Thursday was Amanda's turn for a walk with Grandpa.

I picked her up at my son's house at around 2:30 that afternoon.
We had a couple of errands to run in town first. Something to
drop off at the Salvation Army Thrift Store at Grandma's request
(a donation). 

Then off to the bank machine to make a deposit.  The ATM bank
machine is in the lobby of this bank.  Just inside the main
doors to the bank itself is suspended a video screen showing
the camera monitor view of customers entering the bank. 

Amanda and I like to play a game when we visit this bank together.
So this day, like usual I say to her, "Shall we look at the
little TV up there and see if we see that nice grandpa and that
pretty little girl who look just like us?  They always seem to be
here when we are!" 

She remembers, and grins.  "Sure, Grandpa!"  She understands it's
just a video camera  filming and showing us, but it's sure a fun
game. 

We point out things to each other.  "Look – the grandpa has a
yellow pen in his pocket just like me!" 

"And the little girl has a top on just like mine!"

We wave good-bye to the nice grandpa and the pretty little girl,
and tell them we'll see them next time. 

They wave back.

Then we carry on to the private hospital where my elderly mother
lives.  She has Alzheimer's disease, and I am not sure if she
even knows me now. But I think she does. 

She usually smiles when she sees a child with me, even though she
has no idea who they are (I explain who the grandchild is that
week, but I don't think she can understand).  I am glad she still
is stirred to a smile, just seeing a child with me. 

And each of the grandchildren knows they are going to see
"Great-Grandma" and looks forward to it. 

Amanda enjoys pushing the buttons that give us access to the
different sections of the facility where Mom lives.  She started
off just pushing the big green buttons, and I would enter the
3-digit number codes for the more complex number pad locks. 

Now she is getting older and wiser, and enjoys entering the numbers
herself to unlock the doors, if I will just tell her the numbers. 

Most of the grandchildren are a bit shy when we find Mom and I pull
up a chair to sit beside her for a short visit.  All the younger
grandchildren sit on my knee. 

Amanda is special.  She – the most – actually tries to talk to
Great-Grandma, and follows my lead in telling her a little about
what we are doing that day.  Mom can't answer any more, but she
listens.  And Amanda chats, and sometimes puts her little hand on
Great-Grandma's arm like I do. 

I am touched by her gentle and caring spirit, with all six years of
life and maturity….

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