Up, up, up he climbed. Right foot here and left foot there. It’s a web of ropes to climb up in the middle of the jungle gym. Just last year he would never have tried this. The task was easier on the stairs, the reward, the “dark slide” down. But this year he’s four, his confidence has grown and he’s trying all kinds of new things.

“Are you watching Grandma?” he asks as he peeks down through the ropes.

I smile, “Yep, you’re almost to the top!”

He pauses, hands spread apart, each holding on tight and his cowboy boots securing him in place. He looks down once more to seek me out and says “I love you Grandma” He’s happy, he’s safe, he’s having fun and he’s grateful.

I respond with a warm heart and slightly damp eyes, “I love you too” He continues his climb, then slides down the curly tunnel and yells “Papa come watch me.”

These children of our children they give us such joy. They run when they see us and fuss when we go. They giggle and shout and sing funny songs.  They hide for the seeking and run for the chasing. These moments in time we hold close to our hearts, we know now they are the gifts that true love imparts.

Being a grandparent is this treasure that keeps on giving. When you receive an unprovoked, genuine “I love you” from your grandchild you want to hold on to that forever. I wrote this to remember, to reread and relive the moment, the feeling, the love.