The Little Things in Life

As I followed these two cousins down our dead-end road today, watching them pick up acorns, sticks, and all the treasures their imaginations lead them to, I realized it won't be long before I take them to the woods with grocery bags to collect the goodies needed for their uncle's hunting soaps. It made me think of walks with their mom, dad, and uncle, that didn't seem so long ago. I wonder if this generation will enjoy them as much as before, and what kind of adventures we will have.

This spring and summer will be filled with trips out to find acorns, chestnuts, pine needles, and cedar limbs. There will be outings in search of mushrooms to fry, wood to cut and haul for the greenhouse this fall, and just good old fashioned treasure hunts. There will be blackberries and persimmons to pick, with promises of tart jams and sweet puddings to mix up in Meemaw's kitchen.

Watching those beautiful souls check the strawberry patches each weekend, and searching through the cherry tomatoes in hunt of a ripe sun-warmed snack makes my heart feel full. Little do they know, the cherry bushes may be ready to bear this season. I know to plant more bell peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers than I actually need, because many will fall victim to curious hands, and hungry bellies. The looks on those faces when they find an inch worm to play with or spot a butterfly passing by makes it all worthwhile. A grandmother's home, and all that surrounds it should be full of such magical experiences.

I was blessed in a way that both of my grandmothers believed very similar. There were always gardens to work in, eggs to gather, goats to milk, and creeks or ponds to play in. You see, it's those things that seemed so little all those years ago, that bring back memories of those women so vividly that I can nearly feel them enjoying my grand babies with me. Every opportunity to teach my grand babies about the wonderous little things in this magical life, is a chance to remember my past, and a hope to preserve my memory in their minds. It's also how I get to have a hand in how they eventually teach their littles the magic.