Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: EXPRESSION (11/12/20)
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TITLE: Kids Say What? | Previous Challenge Entry
By Tammy Ortung
11/18/20 -
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“Hi Grammy,” Addie said when I opened the door. She wrapped her arms around my waist and buried her face in my sweater as she squeezed tight.
“Hey Baby,” I crooned. “I sure have missed you.” Though it had been less than a week since the last time they’d packed their bags and declared they were spending the night with Grammy and Opa.
“And we’re staying two nights,” they often dictated.
“I brought you something,” she said with a beaming smile, holding out her hand to display her treasure: two Dove chocolates and a See’s candy lollipop.
“Yum,” I exclaimed. “Grammy loves Dove’s chocolate. Thank you sweetie.”
“Opa, I got some for you too,” she called out, running over to give him his treat.
“Thank you,” he said, instantly peeling back the foiled wrapper to toss one of the rich bite-size morsels into his mouth.
We hugged and greeted the other two kids before dispatching our grateful daughter, who’d recently started college classes online, back home to do homework.
“Opa, you’re welcome for the chocolate,” Addie said a few minutes later, as we settled down to watch Netflix.
“Why thank you Addie,” Opa, the big, burly ex-football player, said gently.
“Grammy, you’re welcome for the chocolate.”
“Thank you Addie for the chocolate,” I countered in a sing-song voice, before pressing play on their favorite cartoon series.
We often played card games, checkers, and colored or did other craft projects whenever they visited, but the kids also regularly entertained themselves with Netflix or XBOX. We weren’t proud of it, but Grammy and Opa had limited energy these days.
“Opa, you’re welcome for the chocolate,” Addie said again as she cozied up to him on the couch.
“Thank you,” we both said over and over again during the following hours.
“Addie, you’re welcome for the mac-n-cheese,” I said later that night as I cleaned up after dinner.
“Addie, you’re welcome for the chicken nuggets.” Opa added with a grin. On and on it went, and each time Addie genuinely thanked us until she finally caught on to the joke and giggled so contagiously, we all broke into a fit of guffaws.
“Okay girls, time for bed. Did you bring a book to read?” I asked, as we walked upstairs and they changed into pajamas.
“No, we forgot,” they echoed.
“That’s okay, Grammy will read from her book,” I said. I had a children’s Bible that had comic strip-like drawings with captions that accompanied each story.
“Yeah, I like the God book,” Addie said, clapping her hands.
I sat on the floor between the two beds and both girls looked at the pictures as I read.
“In the beginning God created….” I began.
“God made all the animals.” Addie interrupted. “And the moon and the stars.”
“Yes, He did,” I said. “He made everything. The land, the sea, the trees and flowers. He even made you and me.”
“God didn’t make me, my mommy did … in here!” She said pointing to her belly. She looked as indignant as any 5-year old could, nose wrinkled, face scrunched up, clearly upset by my words.
“Yes baby, your mom made you, but God gave her the ability to do it.” She looked confused.
“The Bible says that when we’re in our mommy’s bellies, God forms all our little parts—our eyes, nose, arms and legs—and because of Him, we are wonderfully made.”
Addie was our most precocious grandchild. We never knew what might come out of her mouth next. She had shown a curiosity about God that warmed my heart. Yet, this time I’d obviously given her more information than she could wrap her little brain around. I kissed her goodnight and prayed that God would cultivate the seeds planted in her heart and increase her understanding of Him.
Weeks later, our conversation about God and babies forgotten. Addie was back to her old self again.
“Grammy, were those the shoes I picked out?” she asked. She had gone shopping with me to find comfortable work shoes.
“Yes Addie, I think they were.” I said, though I really wasn’t sure.
“You’re welcome for finding the shoes Grammy,” she said earnestly.
“Why thank you Addie.” I replied.
Non-fiction.
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