GRAND Magazine - Winter 2024 - 34

from our readers
We bought a toy box big enough to cruise
the Atlantic Ocean. After being stuffed into the
toy bags, the toy box was not even half full.
Instead of being astonished at the mountain
of toys facing me, I was swept away with the
desire to build the hill. Over the years, the Toy
Box housed dolls, Legos, board games, paper,
paint, play dough, trucks to be pushed, cars
with controllers, walkie-talkies, and enough
pretend medical devices to outfit a primary
care practice. The Toy Box phase ended when
its top did not touch the rest of the box.
"
Once, my granddaughter
ran into my office to tell me
something earth-shattering while
I was in a Zoom meeting.
"
The third stage is acquiring THE ROOM. By now, the
grandchildren are staying overnight and " need " their
bedrooms. So, before my amazed eyes, my " office "
and our extra bedroom became " their " bedrooms. The
foldout beds transformed my " office " into one boudoir,
the third bedroom into their space. While this
didn't seem like a big deal, it affected my professional
life as I worked from home during the pandemic. I
was exiled to the balcony during nap time to hold
Zoom meetings. My colleagues laughed when we
shouted into our computers to drown out the street
34 GRAND WINTER 2023
noise below me. Afterward,
I checked on the child and saw her sleeping like an
angel. Once, my granddaughter ran into my office to
tell me something earth-shattering while I was in a
Zoom meeting. The person at the other end of the
call chatted with her and later told me how much she
enjoyed the seven-year-old. Who knew?
The last stage is conquering THE HOUSE. We built
a house 15 minutes instead of two hours from three
grandchildren. Once we moved in, the first fully functioning
room was the grandchildren's bedroom. The
bed was made, the rug laid, pictures hung, and the
closet emptied. After all, the kids would stay within
the first two weeks of our arrival. While the rest of the
walls were bare and we awaited new living and dining
room furniture, we rode a wave
of happy expectations. The kids
could stay in their " own " room.
But this stage had an unseen side.
We had to stock the kids' food in
our refrigerator, freezer, and pantry.
Shopping trips included snacks,
juices, chicken nuggets, pasta, and
" acceptable " vegetables on a regular
instead of an " as needed " basis.
I saw our growth in this wide
net of love, safety, and discovery a
month later. They laugh and question
the tales of the " olden days. "
Why was the gray picture of old TV
shows called " Black and White " ?
What is a pay phone? What car seats
did you use growing up?
My seven decades melt away as clouds become
animals, " Why " is the ubiquitous question, and rain is
something to run through and laugh. Do I love this?
You bet!
Steve recently retired from a 33-year career
in the Federal Government. The vast majority
of it was with the Food and Drug Administration,
including being an economist,
Deputy Division Director, and Associate Office
Director for Professional Development.
He now spends his time doting on, observing,
and learning from his four grandchildren,
who live in Richmond and Tampa.
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GRAND Magazine - Winter 2024

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