The Old Floks at Home

It's Sunday night and the old folks are home enjoying a quiet interlude after our afternoon with the kids. As usual, Sunday was fun and all the gang was here. I made the usual green salad, and a big pot of home made chili. There were oyster crackers, grated cheese, sour cream, and onion for garnish on the chili, and chocolate silk pie for desert. It was a simple meal but no one left hungry. It makes me proud when everyone eats heartily and compliments the cook. I'm thankful for the bounty of this day.

I did something with the grandsons that I haven't done before. They were so hyper and about to get into trouble for being too loud and silly. I called them to go to the living room with me away from the laughing and talking in the family room. I sat one on each side of me and put an arm around each boy. I had them lean on me and close their eyes. They cooperated because they were intrigued by the new turn of events. We breathed deeply, relaxed, and pictured ourselves in a green meadow with a stream and flowers. Then we each of took turns telling what we were picturing. They were so into the moment and added really neat things to our picture. A pink bird, a puppy, a tall tree with a tree house, and on and on. It calmed them and settled the confusion. I used a different form of this game with my sons and sometimes when they'd had a bad day they would ask for a 'story.'

Our quiet interlude is coming to an end. It's bed time and I hope I can sleep tonight. Hope everyone is resting and looking forward to Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving, now there's another story . . . for another time.