Part 9 - Days in the life of a grandpa -

Trying to keep up with a police officer -

The next day (Friday) I had fun in the morning. For a few weeks I
had been teasing Mark about getting out-of-shape from the
tremendous level of physical fitness he was forced to attain in his
six months of police training.  I had "challenged" him to try a few
new exercise regimes I had been using. 

Friday morning finally worked out.  I went over to their house, and
he AND Serena and I worked out together in their living room.

Henry and Isaiah played with toys on the chesterfield and watched
us.  Abigail sat in her high chair and made faces as she tried to
figure out why her Daddy and Mommy and Grandpa were dancing
and prancing and jumping and hopping around in front of her,
puffing and panting and doing all kinds of silly push-ups, sit-ups,
and other strange exercises with names like "8 count body builders"
and "air bike crunches" and "mountain climbers". 

It was so much fun to exercise with my son and daughter-in-law, and
I felt so thankful to be blessed with enough health that at the age
of 59, even after a serious accident, I can run and jump and do
exercises with my kids and carry my grandchildren in my arms or on
my shoulders....

Friday night I went to the football game I had been looking forward
to all week. Our local team won with a resounding victory.  Beth
isn't a football fan, so I usually go alone.  I don't mind the
solitude at all. 

Beth ended up doing - guess what!  Babysitting again.  Ray and
Jessa had a supper at the home of one of Ray's instructors in the
summer school course he is taking.  Jessa wouldn't have been able
to go, but Beth was willing to go over to their house for the
evening and put Joseph and Vicky to bed there.  Then she relaxed
and watched a few of her favorite cooking shows on TV there. 

Saturday night was one more babysitting "assignment" we had
agreed to.  Mark and Serena had asked us a week or so before if
we could look after the children while they went to a supper at
Serena's sister's house, with friends. 

So once again we saw Henry, Isaiah, and Abigail over supper and
the first part of the evening.  Mark was on day shift the next day,
so they were back in good time to pick up the children and get home
to bed. 

About 12 hours later we repeated the pattern of the previous Sunday
- driving both cars to pick up Serena and the children.  Me and the
boys getting to church first and reserving our row.  Saving room
for Mommy and Grandma and Abigail.  Settling the boys.  Getting to
unbuckle Abigail from her baby carry-seat and see her grin as I
picked her up. 

Cuddles and snuggles and then a little stroll around the back of
the church when she started to get restless and fuss. 

Time to sing "your special song that Grandpa made up just for you,
just because I love you so much...."

And so the day and weeks pass by - not all as hectic and busy as
this past week or two, but full of life and joy even amidst the
hectic bustle that once in a while almost overwhelms me. 

So many families live so far apart.  Grandparents who long to hold
their grandchildren in their arms more often.  Grandchildren who
long for their grandparents' hugs.  And grown-up sons and daughters
who wish their parents were just a little closer to lend an
occasional hand or give them an occasional break with an evening
out, knowing their children are with the best and safest
babysitters- their own grandparents!

Truly I am a blessed grandpa. 

And these are but a sample of DAYS IN THE LIFE OF A GRANDPA....

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