Two Pieces

We had a scare around here last week. Mr. C’s father had just picked Chicky up for their weekly sleepover and was driving back to his home when he started experiencing chest pains. He tried to fight them back but about 45 minutes after getting home he decided to call his doctor, who in turn called the ambulance for him. Luckily there was a neighbor who was home and was willing to watch Chicky until my Mother in Law got home from work and while my FIL was rushed to the hospital.

Turns out, everything is fine. After a battery of tests for my FIL there was no sign of a heart attack and Chicky had a fabulous day hanging out with the neighbor, a mother of four, eating PB&J sandwiches and taking a nap in a real big girl bed. When I finally heard about everything that had happened and was on my way to pick her up, Chicky had to be persuaded to leave, she was having such a great time with the neighbor’s six year old daughter, and my FIL was resting comfortably in a hospital bed in Boston. Still stuck in the ER, of course, but resting easier than he had been a few hours prior.

Mr. C’s father and Chicky have a wonderful relationship. Like many fathers, my FIL worked hard during his children’s early years and didn’t have as much time to spend with them so now he’s making up for it with his granddaughter. Since he’s now retired he has all the time in the world to lavish her with attention and she sucks it up like a sponge.

(And for the record, he’d be spending just as much time with his grandsons if they didn’t live 1500 miles away. He‘s got a lot of love to give.)

I think the bond between grandparent and grandchild is extremely important. I know my Mother in Law is looking forward to her retirement so that she can spend more time with her grandkids. She’s the type of person who will be down on the ground with them, looking for bugs and other critters. They’ll be making play dough and other crafty things that most days I just don’t have the patience for. As for Grandpa, he’ll be teaching the kids about science and showing them off to his friends, proud as a peacock. They're the best of friends. I can’t tell you how much that makes my heart burst with happiness. If anything would have happened to him Chicky’s life would not be as rich as it is today.

It’s easy to joke about how lucky Mr. C and I are, having two wonderful people who are so willing to take Chicky off our hands so often. But it’s my daughter, and someday my other daughter too, who will be the ones to really capitalize on this relationship.

We are all truly lucky.

Every day that Grandpa comes to pick up Chicky, or just comes to visit, her face breaks into the biggest smile as soon as she sees his car pull up. Grandpa’s here! And when he walks in the house, before even taking off his coat or acknowledging anyone else in the room, he’ll throw his arms out wide and wait for her to run to him for a giant hug.

How much does Grandpa love you? He’ll ask

Two pieces, she’ll say shyly, holding up two fingers.

I do love you to pieces.

There may as well not be anyone else in the world when they meet. Not that it matters to anyone looking on. It's magical. Those two pieces make everything whole.