My grandma and I when my grandparents came out to see the new place.

Emily and Grandpa

Yesterday evening I went to visit my Grandma and Grandpa.  It was just me.  For years I have always been there with other cousins or my kids or husband or Maryjane but as I nestled into the easy chair with my tea and cookies I quickly regressed to twelve years old.  Grandma said she was going to keep me and the urge to spend the night was almost overwhelming!  They are still in their home.  A grouping of homes around a lake for the older generation.  Peaceful.  The Christmas lights on adjacent homes glimmered off the lake as the silhouettes of geese honked in the night.  Grandpa sipped his tea as we watched Randy Travis in younger glory in concert at the Carlsbad Caverns singing Christmas songs and hits in that smooth, cowboy voice.  Grandma and I talked about kids and movies and life as we watched.

I am beyond measure blessed to have five generations on both sides of my family alive.  These are my dad’s parents and Maryjane made them great, great grandparents.  A gift I hope that Doug and I will get to experience.  Both in their eighties they are as independent and youthful as I can remember.

My memories of shopping at Cinderella City with Grandma and of sipping coffee at their kitchen table at a young age fill my heart.  Sitting on their porch swing.  Playing rummy.  Going on trips with them with my cousin, Helen.  They never batted an eye (at least in front of me) at my multiple crazy decisions but always supported and accepted me for exactly who I am.  No judgment, just love.  The gifts of life are plenty and sitting in an easy chair at forty-one years old near my grandma and grandpa is one of the best holiday gifts I could receive.