No. 1 and one of a kind
I have two grandsons, one 7 and one almost 4. They are different in just about every way, each one very special but also very much individuals. I am writing about them in order, starting with the older one and saving the younger one for another column.
The oldest one is named Jonathon, but most of the time he is “Buddy” to his grandfather and I. He has been Buddy since we held him the first time. He immediately became our “Little Buddy” and now, he is just “Buddy.”
Buddy is quite a kid. He is big for his age. For those of you who know me personally, you would say I am not tall ... actually most people would say I am, well, short. Anyway, Buddy is already up to my nose, and he is 7. His hands are almost as big as mine and soon his feet will be bigger than his mother’s feet.
When Buddy was born, my husband retired and became his nanny. For the first year or so, Grandpa was his constant companion. Grandpa and Buddy have a special relationship. His parents and I feel the two of them share a brain. Even though they don’t spend every day together these days, their bond is still very strong. Buddy will pick coming to Grandpa’s house over just about all other activities. If he can work in playing basketball or football and also come to Grandpa house, that is the best kind of day he could ask for.
Buddy loves being outside. He especially enjoys being outside with Grandpa at our house. We live in a rural setting and have a creek and woods next to our house. He calls the creek “The Big River” even though it is actually the “Little Bureau.”
Currently, he and Grandpa are building a duck blind/fort in the woods by the creek. He has built walls with lattice with Grandpa’s help, and has covered those walls with twigs, limbs, leaves and large pieces of bark from a dying tree. They are hoping the duck blind will attract animals. That’s something else to know about Buddy; he loves animals. He reads about them; he watches all kind of shows on TV about them; and he talks to everyone about the animals he sees. Recently he and Grandpa came very close to a baby deer, an experience he will not forget for some time.
At Thanksgiving each year we all share what we are thankful for. Buddy wanted to be first to tell his thankful thoughts, saying he had worked on what he was going to say for a couple of days. This is what he said, “I am thankful for food because as everyone knows I like to eat, I am thankful for art, math and science because without those I would be stupid.” As an afterthought, he threw in that he was thankful for his family. We all laughed, knowing that we could chalk another one up to our Buddy.
Grandkids are so special. One is not more loved than another, but they are each different, and we have decided that our Buddy is one of a kind. He could be considered a young, gentle giant. He is kind, loving and laid back. He has a ready smile that melts your heart. He melted ours from the first moment.
A future column will be devoted to Grandson No. 2, my special pal, Brady, and then I will have to introduce you to No. 3 — he’s to be born in March 2013. Who could ask for more? Three grandsons to love. I am so lucky!
Nita Wyatt of Wyanet can be reached at golfingfor2@ymail.com.
