I heard someone say the other day that the start of each new year brings us closer to……well, let’s just say that in the spectrum of life each new year brings us towards…..well, where we end up at the end of that spectrum. But those are my words. His were a little darker.
That’s what I was thinking of while playing hide and seek with my 4 year old grandson today. I was crouching in what was probably a really cool yoga position, but was a position I hadn’t crouched in ever a long time, hiding on the cold slate of the fireplace and half-way behind the couch. An awesome hiding place. Unfortunately, it was such a good hiding place that my grandson couldn’t find me. Which made me think of what that guy said about getting older.
I’m 62. I’m not thrilled to be 62, but it certainly beats the alternative. And I was sad for the guy who is so aware of the train ride we are all on to the end. I’m very happy to spend my New Year’s Day playing hide and seek with my grandson (lesson learned though, avoid the cold slate on your knees). And it gave me lots of time to think. Here’s what I came up with.
Under the heading of superficial:
- Don’t hide so well that a 4 year old can’t find you.
- Avoid slate at all costs.
- Don’t get into yoga positions when you don’t know anything about yoga.
- Be happy that you don’t need help getting up.
Under the heading of delight:
- The peals of laughter expressing the sheer joy of a 4 year old who has finally found your hiding place.
- The total pleasure that comes with knowing that the simplest things can bring a 4 year old such pleasure.
- Knowing that at 62 I can hide all over the place and follow that up with fighting fires with the new Hess firetruck.
- Accepting losing the “let’s fight fires while sitting on the couch” argument and getting back on the floor.
- The feeling of utter delight that when his mother comes and I kiss him goodbye and can collapse, it’s okay.
Under the heading of serious contemplation:
- Don’t lose the joy that each year can bring, even though not everything will be joyful.
- When I’m caught up worrying about work or personal issues, remember that while I’m getting older the joy of this moment with my grandson will always warm my heart.
- I want to live my life in a way that brings my family joy no matter how old I am.
- I hope to spend each day enjoying the train ride as it takes me on each adventure and to each stop.
As he was about to walk out the door today to go home, my grandson turned to me and said “I had a TEWIFFIC time.” I had a tewiffic day, too.
saneteachers 
Beautiful and poignant post. Thanks for sharing.
Shine On
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Thank you….my body will be sore tomorrow but my heart is soaring.
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Tewiffic post! I miss hide and seek.
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Your time will come….
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A charming post. The last time I played Hide and Seek was in the woods with Hubby and the dog. One of us would hide and she was ‘it’ when the other told her to ‘find’.
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It was a lot of fun. But I wasn’t unhappy when I said “okay, what do you want to do now?” He would have gone on all day.
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You can do yoga positions?My tip for the new year: ban the word “old” from your vocabulay 🙂
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Lol
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What an awesome day you snd your grandson must have had. He will have very fond memories of visiting you when he grows up 😀
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Thank you! One never knows what memories are strong enough to last. But it would be lovely if this were to be one of his. Thank you for reading and commenting on my blog 😍
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Your best blog yet !
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Thank you!
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This is really nice. I had a recent birthday, so much of this has been on my mind lately. No grandkids for me yet, but one day…
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I find that my relationships with them is so very different than the ones with my own children. We get to be the good guys lol.
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Reblogged this on saneteachers and commented:
This post, from a year ago today, still speaks from my heart. I hope you find something here that you can enjoy, and that speaks to your heart, as well. May you have the happiest new year.
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Thank you for sharing this post. I’m 47 & have been freaking out about getting older for awhile now. I hurt on most days. I try to find the good things in each day & find joy in my children (even if they are all teenagers now) & my great-nephew who will be 2 next month & brings me great joy & reminds me to live in the moment & find the fun in the little things. So here’s to many more years for both of us & all the memories that we have now & will make in the future.
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Yes, although I am not in overall great health (I’ve had 4 mini-strokes, a bunch of surgeries), but still fine to work full-time, I definitely can’t do what I could even 5 years ago. I can, however, still play on the floor. Last night I did a long Lego session with one grandson. I was ready to quit long before he was, lol, but we still had fun. Even if you have trouble health-wise, you’ll find ways to enjoy each year. A saving grace is that age brings us wisdom. Hopefully!
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