| Gleanings From My Readings |
GLEANINGS
Was That a Vacation?
by Dr. Glenn Mathews
January 4-11, 2008, Fleta and I spent a week
at a Time Share Facility in Virginia. This was
not our first time to do so, but this time we had
2 units – side by side. One son-in-law was
unable to come because of his work schedule, but the other son-in-
law was there along with our two daughters and six grandchildren!
There was also another guest, a 14 year young lady who was
“DBS” (designated babysitter). She was to watch the children
when the adults would be out, doing their own thing. Of course,
that never happened. Our oldest granddaughter and our great
grandson were unable to be there. Fleta and the two daughters
spent a lot of time preparing food. The son-in-law and I were
usually the dishwashers. The grandchildren were as follows: three
boys, ages 11, 9 and 5. The girls were 7, 4 and 3. When we
checked into the facility, I was pleased to see such spacious
rooms and two bathrooms in each unit. That meant that Fleta and
I would be able to have our own space…to escape the noise and
activity that is normal with children. Wow! Was I in for an
awakening! The biggest room is still too small, when it is occupied
by 12 people - 9 or 10 of whom are usually talking at the same
time. The games they play are not my games of choice. I have no
great desire to play “mousetrap” or “operation”. I am not savvy
enough to play with “Game Boy” or other electronic gadgets. For
some reason, the little ones did not like to watch sports or
Jeopardy. They had absolutely no interest in news programs.
As the week wore on, I found that it was “wearing” on me! I do
not have the interest or the endurance to “enjoy” too much
“quality time” with my grandkids. Does that make me
“granddaddy grouch”?
I had to stop and talk to myself. Did we not schedule this time for
the benefit of the grandkids? Did they enjoy swimming in the
indoor pool? Did they enjoy miniature golf? Did they enjoy the
unending supply of good food? Did they enjoy being with
cousins? Did they build memories? Of course, the answer to those
questions is a resounding YES!
Would I have enjoyed being at my home? Could I not have had
time to work in the office? Were there not letters to write? Were
there not passages of Scripture that I wanted to investigate more
thoroughly? Were there not things at the house (inside and
outside) that needed my attention? Did I not need to prepare more
radio programs? Could I not have enjoyed a quiet “week off”?
The answer to those questions is an even more resounding YES!
So, granddaddy grouch and grandmother (“my grandmother is
soooo sweet’) enjoyed (?), endured (?) EXPERIENCED a week
of loud noises, big laughs and an occasional big cry, lots of food
and games and even an occasional quiet nap time……..even if the
smallest ones didn’t need the naps, we did! We spent too much
money, ate too much food, and, in general, goofed off for a week.
But, we also gave little ones a chance to be with their cousins, to
experience new things and to make memories that will stay with
them through the years. I only hope that they will remember that
grandmother and granddaddy loved them enough to provide the
week for them. Fleta and I also were reminded that we have two
wonderful daughters who are now great wives and mothers. What
of the son-in-law who was there and the one who was unable to
be there? They aren’t too bad, either! :-) We were reminded that
families are treasures from the Lord. Fleta and I are grateful for
ours.
law was there along with our two daughters and six grandchildren!
There was also another guest, a 14 year young lady who was
“DBS” (designated babysitter). She was to watch the children
when the adults would be out, doing their own thing. Of course,
that never happened. Our oldest granddaughter and our great
grandson were unable to be there. Fleta and the two daughters
spent a lot of time preparing food. The son-in-law and I were
usually the dishwashers. The grandchildren were as follows: three
boys, ages 11, 9 and 5. The girls were 7, 4 and 3. When we
checked into the facility, I was pleased to see such spacious
rooms and two bathrooms in each unit. That meant that Fleta and
I would be able to have our own space…to escape the noise and
activity that is normal with children. Wow! Was I in for an
awakening! The biggest room is still too small, when it is occupied
by 12 people - 9 or 10 of whom are usually talking at the same
time. The games they play are not my games of choice. I have no
great desire to play “mousetrap” or “operation”. I am not savvy
enough to play with “Game Boy” or other electronic gadgets. For
some reason, the little ones did not like to watch sports or
Jeopardy. They had absolutely no interest in news programs.
As the week wore on, I found that it was “wearing” on me! I do
not have the interest or the endurance to “enjoy” too much
“quality time” with my grandkids. Does that make me
“granddaddy grouch”?
I had to stop and talk to myself. Did we not schedule this time for
the benefit of the grandkids? Did they enjoy swimming in the
indoor pool? Did they enjoy miniature golf? Did they enjoy the
unending supply of good food? Did they enjoy being with
cousins? Did they build memories? Of course, the answer to those
questions is a resounding YES!
Would I have enjoyed being at my home? Could I not have had
time to work in the office? Were there not letters to write? Were
there not passages of Scripture that I wanted to investigate more
thoroughly? Were there not things at the house (inside and
outside) that needed my attention? Did I not need to prepare more
radio programs? Could I not have enjoyed a quiet “week off”?
The answer to those questions is an even more resounding YES!
So, granddaddy grouch and grandmother (“my grandmother is
soooo sweet’) enjoyed (?), endured (?) EXPERIENCED a week
of loud noises, big laughs and an occasional big cry, lots of food
and games and even an occasional quiet nap time……..even if the
smallest ones didn’t need the naps, we did! We spent too much
money, ate too much food, and, in general, goofed off for a week.
But, we also gave little ones a chance to be with their cousins, to
experience new things and to make memories that will stay with
them through the years. I only hope that they will remember that
grandmother and granddaddy loved them enough to provide the
week for them. Fleta and I also were reminded that we have two
wonderful daughters who are now great wives and mothers. What
of the son-in-law who was there and the one who was unable to
be there? They aren’t too bad, either! :-) We were reminded that
families are treasures from the Lord. Fleta and I are grateful for
ours.
| MENU |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |