I was reminded yet again on Wednesday morning that to the extent I am a lesser asshole than I was four or five years ago, all credit for that mellowing goes to my grandchildren. While I was at work, Suzanne shared photographs of her oldest (and my first-born grandchild) Maggie, on her first day of Pre-K. Maggie stood waiting outside of her school, backpack on her back and mask covering her mouth and nose, for her "required before entering" temperature check. Her mother confirmed what the photograph suggested, which was that Maggie was not upset or scared or taken aback at having to wear a mask. She recognized it for what it is - the cost of doing business if you will - for her to be able to do something that she loves, which is attend school.
My grandchildren, especially Maggie since she is the oldest and the one who made me Pop Pop, own me. To the extent I have a heart, it belongs to them. They are also among the people on this planet I shall fight most ferociously to protect. I would gladly trade my life - or an extended term of incarceration - to keep them safe from harm.
Maggie's resilience during this pandemic has never failed to impress me. She is the only one of my five grand kids who is old enough to understand - even a little bit - what the hell has been going on for the past six-plus months. On more than one occasion, she has remarked to Nana or to me that she knows presently she cannot go to a particular place or do a certain thing "because of the COVID". Does she know that "the COVID" is a virus? Probably not. She knows though that it is something that has limited her life and shall continue to limit it for the foreseeable future. Yet she never fails to keep her head up.
It has limited the things can do but she shall not let her define her. She shall simply keep going about her day-to-day without forgetting what it is in her day-to-day that really is important.
She reminds me by her actions that I should not forget either.
I shall not.
-AK
No comments:
Post a Comment