A three-year old boy can seldom be depended upon to be still and quiet. He can seldom wait until something will happen, but my grandson Thomas will watch carefully while life buzzes around him. He examines, analyzes, and finds it.
My "girls" (gr-daughters) were eleven and nine at the time, and he thought they were his, that they belonged to him. Between them, they filled our house with joy.
But, this day Thomas was mine to enjoy. And that was what we found across the street: amazement.
She wasn't home, but her hummingbirds were. Thomas squatted down quietly like a statue, wordless and eyes wide open. They were there, in their bold flight. Thomas held his hands folded in his lap, watching intently. And I watched him.
We didn't go back, why I don't know. Thomas wanted to see my friend who was gone for a few days. But the hummingbirds were there and we didn't go to see them.
Instead, Thomas ran and played with his cousins. They laughed, threw stuff, read books. I laughed, but I didn't throw stuff.
I watched them, my "girls" and my "little man". Good times.
For the next few postings, we will be heading back to the Cow Chipping Country to visit my brother. Please leave a comment, simply because I like to hear your thoughts.
SUCH a precious time (and memory). For you both. Enjoy your family visit.
ReplyDeleteWe see them once a year, with wkly FaceTime visits. We get to see them grow up, talk with them, have them share their belongings with us!!!
DeleteWe are blessed.
What a wonderful "little man", an observant child, and how fun to watch the hummers.
ReplyDeleteIt was magical.
DeleteSome young ones are like that, quiet and observant. Being so will serve him well in life.
ReplyDeleteWe love being with him. He is 7 now and asks intelligent questions.
DeleteI don't think there is anything more enjoyable than observing a child that doesn't realize you are watching.
ReplyDeleteExactly. There are many of such photos in my collection.
DeleteThat's a lot of hummingbirds. No wonder he was impressed. I like the shadow of the bird on the feeder.
ReplyDeleteYes, I was surprised that came through.
DeleteIt is absolutely wonderful to see a child be 'arrested' by nature enough to say that. As a daddy I enjoyed it, but I was busy. I am sure mothers see and learn more than daddy's do. BUT Grandma and Grandpa have time, and it is a blast.
ReplyDeleteMy son, who is 'spoiled rotten' by his grand kids had the nerve to say to me, "But Dad, you don't understand!"
All I had to say was, "Remember Reece, Ben and Corey?" (YES, I do understand.)
Love from NC,
Sherry & jack
Chuckling here! My daughter now understands why I was strict with her.
DeleteI put some out one year, all I got was ants.
ReplyDeleteWell, that wasn't expected.
DeleteBeing a grandparent is so special. Having the time to enjoy their company, observe their behaviour and listen to their observations is a blessing.
ReplyDeleteHaving my "babies" visit is delightful.
DeleteAhh, the joys of being around young children. Something I may have missed, but fortunately, I am not sorry I have. With young children comes responsibility and something I'm not sure I want to deal with. However, I would gladly share precious moments that you definitely can't buy. Great story, dear. Enjoy your time in cow country.
ReplyDeleteI will try to bring a cow patty home with me.
DeleteI'm frequently amazed at how intensely toddlers can sit and watch something.
ReplyDeleteI know, right! What must their minds be processing!
DeleteAmazing how hummingbirds flap their wings so fast.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your family.
God was pretty creative in making these sweet birds.
DeleteSuch beautiful memories, so well remembered 🌹
ReplyDeleteI can still see his sweet face as he watched.
DeleteHummingbirds are inherently fascinating!
ReplyDeleteFirst time I saw one, I was astounded.
DeleteOh i can watch hummingbirds forever ,no it's not exaggeration :) i love their swift witty moves
ReplyDeleteThomas seems like a curious child with gentle heart who wants to learn quietly :)
thank you for haring these Precious memories Susan
i am sure you will enjoy your visit to your brother's family :)
He is fascinating. He knows details about dinosaurs, which he shared with me.
DeleteSharing i mean(sorry)
ReplyDeleteOh, I got the idea!
DeleteHe sounds like a special child to be so enticed by nature though the antics of hummers are hard to resist.
ReplyDeleteWe visited them in May and he "took" us to a butterfly pavillion. Oh boy, was he the best tour guide ever. His favorite exhibit was the bat cave. I sorta enjoyed it.
DeleteDear Susan, the intensity of concentration that a young child can bestow on memorizing nature always astounds me. Peace.
ReplyDeleteChildren can focus so more intently that we adults.
DeleteWhen they stop and get that inquisitive look, you just have to watch. Humming birds are fast indeed.
ReplyDeleteIt is endearing to see a gr-child experience it.
DeleteHow wonderful and how wonderfully heart-warming.
ReplyDeleteA little boy being introduced to the wonders of nature. Lucky grandma.
I become more and more aware of how amazing my gr-kids are. When I was a parent of my kids, I was so wrapped up in the stuff of taking care of them.
DeleteSuch fun to watch them learn...
ReplyDeleteHummingbirds are fun to watch. I hope the cow chipping competition is all you hope it to be.
ReplyDeleteWhat a totally special day! I'd love to be so close as to be able to have the kids drop off the baby grands like that. And he's right -- they ARE fast!
ReplyDelete