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Needing to get something laminated, I headed down to Staples Office
Supply. Getting out of my truck, I saw a Coca Cola stand set up in
front of the store. On the side was a hand-printed poster which
read, “Need donations badly for a heart/lung transplant for Mark.”
I smiled at two women in the stand as I passed them by and entered
the store.
“Well, hello, Roger Dean Kiser,” said Celeste, as I held out a 12X14
poster which my three-year-old granddaughter had made for Judy and
me for Grandparents Day.
“Like to get this laminated,” I said, as I laughed and pointed at
the picture of Madison glued to the poster.
“That’s darling,” she replied.
“Looks to me like she had to use the bathroom real bad when that was
taken.”
“Oh, don’t say that,” said Celeste, as she laughed.
While waiting to get the poster laminated, I stood looking out the
window as people bought a coke or hotdog and handed the two older
women their money to help Mark.
“Here you go,” she said, as she handed me the finished poster.
After paying I looked at the poster, walked out the door, and
headed to my truck— my heart filled with joy the entire time. The
temperature must have been 98 degrees and the humidity was somewhere
around 110.
As I pulled out of the parking space, I once again looked at the two
women running the small coke stand. I reversed the truck, pulled
back into the space, and turned off the ignition. I got out of the
vehicle and walked over to the stand.
“Can I help you today, sir,” said one of the women.
"Are either one of you the grandmother of Mark?” I asked.
“Yes, we both are,” she replied.
I stood there wondering what I should order.
I took out my wallet and looked inside. All I had was twelve
dollars. I took out the money.
“What would you like?” she asked again.
“Believe it or not, all I want is an empty cup.”
Slowly, she reached over and handed me a small empty coke cup.
When I held out the twelve dollars she looked puzzled, but reached
out and took the money.
“Happy Grandparents Day! Tell Mark hello from Roger and Judy and
that he is in our prayers.”
The woman covered her face and turned away.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she said.
“No, thank you for being such wonderful grandparents to Mark.” I
turned and headed back to my truck.
Sometimes in our own joy we forget just how lucky we are.
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Eighteen-months ago I wiggled my way out of Mommy’s tummy. What a relief to finally stretch my limbs
and breathe fresh air after lying all twisted-up like a pretzel for such a
long time. My features resemble that
of a healthy newborn infant, however, the truth is, I am really a reclaimed
“Wise Soul.” My new Daddy and Mommy
call me SHANTEL MARIE.
A “Soul” like me can understand everything grown-ups say
or do. Yet, being a baby, I still must
re-learn how to eat, crawl, walk, speak, etc., all over again, just as if I
have never done it before. Starting
over is lots of fun and very amusing too, especially with my Grandpa. He loves me up, we plays games, and often
he hams-it-up as if he were a kid himself.
Not long ago I started saying one-word sentences. One problem I’m
having though is pronouncing my “Rrrrr’s.” It is hard trying to say Grandpa when I cannot
voice an “R!” What comes out is “Gampa.” I get so
frustrated! Nevertheless, Gampa beams with pride every time I utter his name
because I can only say a few words, and Gampa is
one of them. I have to chuckle
though, if he only knew I could understand everything he says, Gampa would be flabbergasted. Still, he does tell everyone how smart I
am, so maybe I am just imagining he would be shocked!
My Gampa looks after me a few
times a week. My Daddy takes me to stay with Gampa early in the morning. I am drinking my first cup of milk with him
before the twinkling night-stars even turn into sunshine. Sometimes I wonder if the poor man ever sleeps,
since he is always stirring every time I go to his house. I love my Gampa!
Secretly, he’s
my favorite playmate. He feeds me yummy
food, and he sings to me all the time, “Grandpa Loves Shantelle’,
you’re my Nananelle’, my Little Montonelle’, my Little Baby Darlin…”
At midmorning, Gampa feeds me
snacks. He wants to be sure that my
tummy is full before I take my nap.
After I eat, he changes my diaper.
I have learned his routine and what is really going on is Gampa is ready for his nap! He
thinks I should be to. Actually, I
am, though usually I put up a bit of a fuss when Gampa
tries singing me to sleep. It is always
the same lullaby, “Rock-a-Bye, Baby, in the Treetop, when the Wind Blows
the Cradle will Rock…” All the
while, my miniature torso rests in his cradled arms. The best part is he cuddles me, and his cheek
rests against mine while he sings.
Several times during his routine, he will stop singing for a short
moment, which is when I can feel his light touch of several kisses on an
ear. To pacify myself I grasp his thumb,
the same one I always hold, and I stroke his large knuckle with one of my
fingernails. Shortly, I let go, it
is a signal to Gampa that I am ready to nap. My breathing slows, my tiny frame is
motionless, yet I am not asleep, though Gampa assumes
I am. Tenderly, he carries me to my
bedroom, still softly singing, “Rock-a-Bye, Baby…”
Gently, Gampa settles me on my
bed, making sure my head is resting perfectly on my baby pillow. He slowly rises from the bed and closes the
bedroom door to minimize any disquieting noises. He thinks I am in slumber-land! However, I am not quite in dreamland yet.
Contented, I am waiting for Gampa to return and take his nap beside me. I know he is tired, after all, I do run
around the house nonstop, and he follows me everywhere I go.
Before coming to rest, Gampa
turns on a CD chockfull of restful tunes.
Soon, I feel the bed squeak as he lies down. That is when I roll over and nestle my pintsized
frame next to him. I hold close his thumb
again and pull it against my body. I
begin to feel his warm breath as it falls against my head of hair. It soothes me, as if I were outside in a
slight breeze. I cuddle even closer
until my back curls against Gampa shirt.
My eyes are closed. Nonetheless, I am still awake and waiting
for Gampa to fall asleep. After a short while, I feel his body
relax, sometimes he even snores, and then I know for sure he is sleeping
like a baby. Ah, my job done, I have
put my Gampa down for his nap. Now I can finally go off to dreamland
myself.
Duane Shaw
dbshaw1947@sbcglobal.net
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