When we’re at the lake or the farm—anywhere in Iowa—the
pace is slower, the freedoms larger. My children are in awe that they can run
wherever they like without worrying me, they can drive great-grandpa’s
lawnmower or golf cart without my hovering to help them.
The first time Max drove the golf cart my grandpa uses to
get around the farm, he ran it right up to a log. He couldn’t drive over it and
he couldn’t easily turn to get around it. My grandpa had been standing there
watching and he asked, “Now what are you going to do?”
This was so different
from the response Husband or I would have had: Look what you did! What if you’d
broken the cart? You need to look where you’re going! Be careful! OK, now put
it in reverse so you can go around it. We would have been worried he was going to break the cart and reprimanded him or told him how to solve the problem.
My grandpa, though, having raised eight children of his own
and watched about 20 grandkids grow up and who is now watching his
great-grandchildren grow, simply said, “Now what are you going to do?” He knew
that if he gave Max the room, Max would find his way.
Max jumped out of the seat. “It’s your turn Wild Thing!”
Wild Thing jumped into the driver’s seat, reversed, then floored it around the log. Problem solved.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Ah the memories made with grandparents and great grandparents and “great” grandparents! So glad your kids can enjoy that privilege.
Btw, finished your meme. Check it out when you get the chance, friend.
Also love the totes below. Let me know when I can buy something in the pink from you : )
I was laughing so hard I couldn’t catch my breath! LOVE your kids and what a great experience for all of you. Give your grandpa a hug for me
). _Emily
Great blogs-you have me in stitches!
Ok, one more comment…I just read that you all live in Tulsa. That explains alot about the nose and glasses get up. My parents live in Tulsa and I have many pictures of them (and their dog) with the fake nose and glasses. What is in the water down there????!!!
I can’t wait to be a grandparent so I can have that pespective on things! Why is it that grandparents (and great grandparents) can all be so cool and laid back? Oh yeah, cuz they don’t have to deal with these rugrats 24/7!
That’s what puts the ‘great’ in great-grandfather!
It is such a treasure to be able to know your great-grandparents. I got to know 3 of mine. And Princess still has 4 great-grandparents around to love her too.
I consider us very lucky to have them in our lives. Treasures!
Well that was a creative way to get off the log eh? Gotta love that sibling ‘compassion’!
Grandparents are so wise! What a great response.
Now that was smart of Max. Give it to a girl to find a viable solution. He’s learning quickly I tell you…
And I really want to be like grandpa, rather than the controlling, worried mama that I am. Surely there’s hope for me to change. Perhaps I should visit IA (or Nebraska) and learn a thing or two…
What a great story–wisdom in your g-gpa and in Max!
Gotta love Iowa!!
Hope you are having a great time!
ROFL!
I need to learn that wisdom…will it really take 8 kids to do it?
For this and many other reasons, I love Iowa.