A cherished visit from the little people

I love these little people; and it is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us.          ~Charles Dickens

     The little black SUV pulled away from the house in the very early morning light, windows down, two sets of little arms waving through them. Goodbyes and I Love You's were shouted from both the car and the front porch, where the grandparents waved almost as hard as the children. The grandmother watched as the car pulled out onto the road, and was gone.

     Still in her bathrobe, she turned to go back into the house. It was dark, despite the light on in the living room. There on the floor were the remnants of toys and games that had provided so much fun for the little ones. She could pick them up later-- the day stretched in front of her now, void of much excitement or activity. She smiled at the pirate ship toy that had been so popular with all of the children... it was a good garage sale find.

     Walking into the kitchen, she picked up the last bits of a hurried breakfast with the children. Just minutes before she had sat at the table with the two little boys, telling herself to cherish and remember the quiet sleepy conversations she had with each of them as they ate their bagels and bananas. The table was still a bit sticky-- and would need to be washed off... later. On the refrigerator were the crayon colored drawings of both boys-- one done with a bit of precision, that had been presented to her "to help you remember me..." and the other a glorious mashing of colors outside the lines, drawn with gusto but left behind as an afterthought. She smiled at how different these two brothers were-- one is deep thinking, verbal, sensitive and precise, the other dashes through his day with gusto, often unwilling to share his thoughts with his grandmother, a bit rebellious, and full of fun. They were exhausting, and yet they were, along with their cousin, the lights of her life. This had been a wonderful 3 day visit, complete with two days of extended family here to celebrate the birthday of their matriarch. There had been tons of family laughter and reconnecting with seldom seen loved ones. She had worked hard in the kitchen, spent a few hours overseeing three active children, tended to getting tables on the deck, making sure everyone had drinks and food and whatever else they needed. The family didn't get together like this often, and the time spent with them and memories made were precious.

     She was unaccustomed to rising so early and had not slept well that night so she climbed the stairs to her bedroom for a try at a few more hours of sleep.   Walking down the upstairs hall she passed the guest room where her son and wife had slept, and then the room where the boys stayed. Sheets were a mangled mess, intertwined with books and stuffed animals. Vacant beds that only a few minutes before had held her precious grandsons and their parents. Empty. Quiet. She noted the sheets would need to be washed today... later.

     She opened the door to her bedroom, went in and closed it. She climbed into the bed, pulled the sheets up and closed her eyes. Memories fluttered through her mind of the weekend... It was so quiet... She smiled... and fell asleep.