Slow but steady

188.0

Not bad. Another half. Even better considering I drove to Logan Sunday, painted a room for about 12 hours. Got up Monday, did a little more and then came home with my 4 year old Grand Daughter.

Normally painting is also an eating activity for me. Not this time. I just had the normal meals. Also travel is difficult to keep eating correctly and hydrated. Managed to do both. Even so, I am very glad to see that half pound!

Paisley is going to be 5 in August. When you have the chance to have a grandchild without the parents for more than just a couple days, you learn many lessons. 1. There are reasons people should have children in their younger years, 20's as opposed to 50's.  Energy and stamina would be one of those reasons. 2. You are no longer young. 3. You are wiser than ever and incredibly stupid all at the same time. 4. Grandchildren, when you really listen, will teach you what is important in life. 5. Any child, regardless of their blood relationship, should be your grandchild.

When I was in my 20's, I was very tired a lot. Stressed, and all those other things young parents or just young adults are. I find I have more patience in some areas now. Things that would have annoyed me or made me mad, I laugh at or at least am amused. I find I have less patience. I don't tolerate rudeness or disrespect. In the last 30 years there have been some good changes in the way children are treated, keeping on track with those changes is important.

What I really like is the feeling I have when I have private time with the little ones, a trip to the store or out to feed the animals. I bask in their perceptions of the world around them. I enjoy answering their questions (most of the time). There is a sense of what is really important (the children) and a sense of what is right with the world. They put purpose and joy in just about everything. Simple and mundane tasks become great mysteries to be explained and examined. They bring "wonder" back into your life.

We will have Paisley for a couple weeks or whenever she gets homesick, whatever happens first. While she is here I look forward to horse lessons and life lessons (for me).

Take a minute today and listen to a little child. Not just the words, but the spirit. It will bring wonder back into your life too!