Friday, November 27, 2015

The day after

Today was a laid back day for Jilda and me. We took a long walk and then ran a few errands. Afterwards, we headed up some leftover turkey, dressing, and some other goodies followed by a long peaceful nap.

About 3 p.m., we heard a commotion outside and three of our great nieces and a nephew were running up the hill into the front yard.

Jilda and I sat on the back step of the deck along with their PawPaw and watched those kids run wide open for almost two hours. Their energy wore me out.

They didn't need toys, computers, lawn games, or anything else but open space and fresh air.

The setting sun highlighted wispy cirrus clouds sweeping up from the Gulf of Mexico and painted them the colour or orange sherbet.

I stopped them for a moment and asked them what they saw in the clouds. "An angel", one shouted.
"There's the wings, and there's her halo." "A dolphin," another one offered. And so on.

With kids, it doesn't take a lot.  I'm thrilled they enjoy coming to our house. Holidays would be a lonely time for us if it weren't for the children of our nieces and nephews.

We didn't have children (long story here, but maybe another time), but we've had the good fortune to live next door to Jilda's brother who had three kids and now they have children. We're surrogate grandparents. Whenever someone needs a kid picked up at school, or needs a place for a kid to stay when everyone else in the family is tied up, they have us on speed-dial because we are here to serve.

It's a delightful arrangement because we get to have all the fun with the kids and then send them home when they're worn out and cranky.

I hope you survived Black Friday. Click here for my post a few years ago about shopping at the time of the year.



13 comments:

  1. There is nothing better than open space and fresh air. Those kids are lucky to have you guys in their family. God Bless and happiness for Thanksgiving and beyond.

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  2. I know I have said it before, Those kids will carry those memories to their grave. SWEET. I enjoyed the re-read. Sounds like that I saw on the internet news...
    From Georgia.... JD

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  3. Anonymous8:21 PM

    LOVED the reread--you should be funny more often!!

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  4. Children are both exhilarating and exhausting. It is a lovely combination.

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  5. Nothing better than family...what a joyous read! Happy Thanksgiving, Rick!

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  6. Children are a blessing indeed and they all need to feel loved. You are blessed to have some close by. And they are blessed to have you too !

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  7. You and Jilda are enormously blessed....and those who live next door to you are blessed beyond measure.
    Love this post...and love the post about shopping. Great wit, you are!
    Hugs,
    Jackie

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  8. I have the image of children running in my mind. It reminds me of my early childhood when we lived in a small town and had quite a bit of freedom.

    Love,
    Janie

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  9. It reminded me of my kids running free at the farm and all the kids in the neighbourhood would gather here. Nothing better than wide open air and space.
    Great gamily photo.
    JB

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  10. It sounds to me like you have a good system with the kids living near you. My wife and I had one son but he's having difficulty finding a wife and he's thirty-five. I'm beginning to lose hope that we'll have grandchildren. Well, I guess you can't have everything you want, and I've received more than my fair share in life, for which I'm extremely grateful.

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  11. Grandparents are just what we call older folks that love and care for little ones...
    Grandchildren come in all shapes and ages, natural and spiritual, we are called to help guide them with stories and good old fashion character traits. And of course cookies...
    Roxy

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  12. I remember that post, I read it again and laughed just as much as I did the first time I read it.
    I love hearing about kids who can make their own fun, not always glued to a screen, big or small. And who is the biggest kid in that photo? Jilda, that's who; the one with the bare feet. :-)
    A lovely comment from Roxy.

    Ms Soup

    Ms Soup

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  13. Isn't it wonderful to watch children having fun running around I know I love to sit outside and watch my grandchildren play

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