The View From Nana and Papas

I'm a working mother with a preschooler, worrying about Mom and Dad, who are approaching their eighties. See, I'm part of the growing number of Americans who are caring for aging parents (or wringing their hands in anticipation of it) and raising a child simultaneously.

When we visited last November, we found that Dad had converted my old bedroom into storage space for his fishing equipment. I sang the cowboy song at bedtime as usual, and when I got to the part where it fondly describes New England winters and the wonder of blueberry pie, I paused to pay attention to the droplet of sweat making its way down my back. The house isn't air conditioned, despite the tropical climate. While my child slept, I quietly opened my laptop.

As an anthropology major, I tend to think that child development has more to do with what is learned than what is natural or instinctive (if I recall correctly, human beings don't have many instincts at all--most of what we display on a daily basis is learned behavior). From that viewpoint, exposure to grandparents can be fabulous for children's development, and seems so much healthier and socially connected than having only their photographs, a parent's recollections and an occasional telephone call through which to try to know them.

We (or more accurately, Dad) built this house during twelve weeks in 1971. My sister and I were in first and third grade, respectively, at St. Christopher's Girls School. We were a hit on the playground there, mainly for our skill in jumping Double Dutch.

There's open pasture to the east, and somebody's vegetable garden to the west. As a little kid, I cared only cared about running with our sheep, and riding them like the horses I wished they were, when Dad wasn't looking. And so I was truly surprised when the butcher, a family friend, visited us in his professional capacity. That was thirty-one years ago.

The incredibly blue ocean is still visible from the living room, but the eye can no longer rest without the interruption of clotheslines, galvanized rooftops, satellite dishes, and lately, the construction of condos. What was once quiet is now punctuated by the messy sounds of people going about their lives. St. Christopher's Girls still stands, but when we saw it last year, it looked empty. It was sad that the place where I spent part of my childhood seemed no more than a memory.

Nonetheless, emboldened by the jar of Herbes de Provence I brought along, I promised to do all of the cooking. The gas man was to bring more propane, and the ice-cream truck announced his bi-weekly visits by playing, much too loudly, a tinny-sounding "Home on the Range."

copyright little-turnips.com 2003-2005 - All rights reserved.

Tricia Wellington is the mother of one toddler. little-turnips.com

---

Growing Optimistically

Spring is here at last! The season brings with it... Read More

Scary Stuff

Life can be downright scary - sometimes more than others.... Read More

A Day in Your Life: 17 Ways to Make it a Special Day

A day in your life is a brief and precious... Read More

Improve Your Relationships Instantly

Discover how easy it is to improve your relationships. The... Read More

The Power of the Mind

Each of us has a mind by which we convert... Read More

Life Writing, One Facet of Living an Enchanted Life

I started life writing in the fifth grade. My mother... Read More

Succeed with a Positive Mental Attitude

"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude... Read More

Shifting Your Paradigm

What is a paradigm? In my own words, a paradigm... Read More

Thanks For The Rejection!

It sounds a little masochistic, but I actually appreciate being... Read More

Words, Ignorance, And Casper The Friendly Ghost!

Words, Ignorance, and Casper The Friendly Ghost!Do your best to... Read More

The Power of Inner Dialogue

Are you aware of your inner dialogue? If not, you... Read More

The Enchantress Within Each of Us Returns?Making Potholders, One Stitch at a Time!

When I was little I was very busy--as I imagine... Read More

Penury Perpetuates Poverty

So...you might just believe I hide behind computers creating and... Read More

Time To Give Up Resentment

Resentment isn't a spectacular emotion, but it is long-lasting and... Read More

Mindfulness and Curiosity: Inspiring Affection

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious."... Read More

How To Self Talk Your Way To Success?

Dear Friends,All human beings have a unique ability right from... Read More

Life Changing Attitude

Do you really believe that there is anything in this... Read More

The Difference Between the Curmudgeons and the Serene

Have you ever noticed how many unhappy people there are... Read More

Seeing Challenges as Opportunities

Are you a person who loves challenges, or hates them?... Read More

Fighting Terrorism With Enchantment

Many of you may look at my title and wonder... Read More

Establish What you Want with NLP

Recently, a lady came to see me and she had... Read More

Understanding Visualization

Visualization is the art of using ones imagination to influence... Read More

Oh for a Really Good Day!

What's wrong with me? When I'm sick I get grumpy... Read More

Ditch Lack of Confidence and Unlock Full Potential

Being the next Carmen Electra or Paris Hilton might or... Read More

From Stress to Adventure

Ten tips to transform your move into a creative life... Read More

Creating Icebergs Out Of Hostility

Have you ever dreaded an upcoming presentation, meeting or function... Read More

Increasing Expectation Positively!

At your next staff meeting lead your team through the... Read More

Don?t Worry, Be Happy!

Philippians 4:6-do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,... Read More

5 Tips To Keep Happy... Even In Wartime

The world is going downhill faster than an Olympic skier.... Read More

Is ADD Getting You Down? 6 Tips to Sharpen Your Celebrating Skills

Celebrating is a skill that adults with ADD (Attention Deficit... Read More

Positive Things To Do For Yourself

Being a mom can take a toll on your body,... Read More

Life, The Greatest Ride of All

Life is the greatest roller coaster ride we will ever... Read More

What Every Employee Should Know About Looking Beyond His Attitude

Our attitude makes seems to control just about everything about... Read More