A Time to Remember
My first grandson Noah (now 31) is getting married in January 2019 to May, the beautiful new member of our family. I am so grateful to have lived long enough to see him grow to adulthood. While thinking about him today I pulled out a short writing I did years ago and it appeared in one of my books. I’m sharing it here this week just because….it’s fun to reflect and remember and enjoy the memory all over again. I imagine you have beautiful memories of your grandchildren too.
Making Memories
“Isn’t this fun, Magah? Just the two of us?” My eight-year old grandson Noah hopped out of the car and onto a nearby rock and then onto a log, and then onto a picnic table and then onto another rock. The fun had begun. It was Friday afternoon. We had just arrived at Foster Lodge in the Laguna Mountains east of San Diego for the annual Sierra Club’s Nature Knowledge Workshop, a weekend for adults and children devoted to the study of nature. I was as excited about being with him as he was about being with me.
We hurried into the rustic lodge, staked out a comfortable bunkbed, stashed our backpacks and duffel bags and then joined the other moms, dads, grandparents and children who were gathering in the main room. We signed up for the workshops and hikes that most appealed to us, among them: HIKE TO THE BOULDERS, NATURE ART, INSECT STUDY, BOTANY WALK. We also signed up for our turn to serve food and clear the dining tables.
One of the most significant elements of the weekend was journal writing. Noah wanted to take home some tangible memories of the weekend to add to his interest in science and to share with his family. I wanted to jot down what happened for me on our grandmother/grandson weekend.
Noah unpacked his journal first thing and made sure he had it with us at all times. I took mental notes of my experiences and impressions and jotted them down when I had a quiet moment on my own.
As soon as we completed a hike or a walk or a lecture, Noah pulled out his journal, handed it to me and then dictated three or four sentences that summarized his experience. I wrote down exactly what he said. He was an excellent reader but was still mastering his writing skills so it helped him to have me there to get his thoughts down before they got away.
After viewing a slide show on animal behavior he wrote:
“The snake ate a whole squirrel and it took thirty minutes to finish it.” “If you see a mountain lion, don’t run. Make yourself look big by putting your arms over your head and pushing out your muscles.”
Following a lecture on conservation he dictated the following: “I learned a new word. biodegradable. It means things used from nature go back into the earth.” I helped him put those new concepts on paper.
I had a few observations of my own––truly a gift to myself that I will reread and enjoy over the years to come, the pleasure of time spent with my dear grandson, the beauty of nature everywhere we looked, the soft night sounds around us as we cuddled in our sleeping cocoons, and the hand-in-hand walks we shared in the cool morning hours, after skipping over rocks and jumping over logs!
Sunday afternoon we said good-bye to the new friends we made, the adult leaders who had made it all possible, and then we packed my car and took off. A couple of hours later we met Noah’s father in our usual rendezvous spot, and the first words out of Noah’s mouth were, “Dad, Dad, want to hear my journal?”
I had captured most of our experiences on film, so the following week I sent him a small photo album of pictures with captions––a gift of love and memories. We had shared a very special time together as grandmother and grandson and we also learned more about God’s green earth and the bounty of natural gifts He has provided. And because of Noah’s journal––and mine––we have it not only in our hearts and minds, but on paper, as well.
Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets (Habakkuk 2:2)
I LOVE this. I am sure Noah loves it too. How cool that you will be here for his wedding. Love your scripture you put with this too. We all have a story. And, families’ stories intertwine. Now he’s starting a new story with May. How wonderful.
Thanks, Heidi. Aren’t we so blessed to live long enough to see our ‘grands’ grow up and add to their stories?
Fabulous memories Karen. Hope Noah sees this “Time to Remember” too! He will love it and so will May!
Glad you will go to the cold east in January for their wedding …… sure to be another memorable family occasion.
You have reminded me of very special grandmother and granddaughter times. As you know I have five of them and have spent wonderful times together with each of them in nature exploring and learning not only about the animals and plants but about our special bonds. Very precious indeed. Thank you.
Thanks, Kathleen. I just heard from Noah. He and May read the blog and Noah said he cried. I feel so blessed, as you do, to have lived long enough to see our ‘grands’ grow up and begin their adult lives.
What a wonderful memory! AND what a wonderful memory you will make in January! Congratulations to all the family!
I have a lot of wonderful memories of my five grandchildren-one boy and four girls. All so precious and married -except one! I have a book that has questions for you to answer which is actually like a story of your life. Last week I read one that I had answered over thirty years ago which asked what was the best moment you can remember (not all the words but enough for my comment). My response was not long and I ended my response ending with the words that when I held my twin granddaughters in my arms for the first time and got them to sleep I cannot think of anything that can top that. What a wonderful feeling!
Thanks, Karen! Love and blessings. Margaret
What a beautiful memory, Margaret. Thanks for sharing. I can feel your joy.
What a gift you gave him, encouraging him to journal his thoughts and observations at such an early age. Many of us have memories of our grandchildren and great grandchildren. Most of mine are in my mind and heart. Thanks for sharing yours.
Thanks for your encouraging words, Etta Mae.
Oh Mom! Such a beautiful picture of his early writing life and celebration of your relationship. I hope I can have such a grand adventure with my grandchildren some day (assuming I get to have some!)
Thanks, Julie. It was fun for me to write about this since the event is still so fresh in my mind after all these years. I know you’ll be a wonderful grandma when your time comes–and it will! 😊
Love this! (And love your grandson’s name. haha) What a wonderful memory of your now grown up about-to-be-married grandson. I pray I will be able to experience having grandchildren one day. 🙂 What a gift!
Thanks, Sherry. Memories are so important to me now as I age. I feel blessed to have grandkids and hope you get to have them too. I know you’ll be great. 🙏
Precious memories Karen. To have watched Noah grow up and shared in some of the significant learning adventures as you did builds strong bonds that will continue into your relationship with him and may and future family members. What a blessing!
Thanks, Carol. It has been quite an adventure with each one of my ‘grands’ and I’m so grateful.
Dear Karen,
What an endearing “memory”! Just shared it with Ed and tears streamed down our faces. Lucky Noah to have a grandmother share her love for journaling. I’ve had so many super memories of you doing the same at our All Gal’s camping events. Loved every one of them. God bless you and all that you do to make our lives memorable.
Terri, what a beautiful comment. Thanks so much. I know you have a rich relationship with your grandchildren too and now with your great grandchildren too. I appreciated all the journaling sessions we had in the wilderness during our many all gals trips–very special times and now special memories.
That is a great story. I should have my grandchildren write a journal of the things we do together. Thanks for such a lovely idea.
Thanks for your kind comment, Karen. I hope you and your grandchildren can enjoy a similar experience.