Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Remind Me

Our Thanksgiving was very quiet, but good. I was able to have a good visit with K, who seems to be changing each time I see him, not so much physically, but in maturity. Not only did we have some good talks, but his patience level for certain things has increased just a little bit.

On Sunday, we got up early and drove up to the Oakland airport in order to get him a non-stop flight home and to get him home early to try to avoid the rush. As I expected, the lines were quite long, but moved along at a decent pace. I think I only heard K grumble once, but then I reminded him "what better do we have to do here but wait?". Once we finally got to his gate, we sat down and tried to wake up. After a short time, an elderly woman with white curls sat down next to us. She asked me if I could see the numbers on top of the new Southwest poles, and then proceeded to explain twice about the new boarding procedure. I already felt my patience waning and was trying to figure out a polite way to discontinue the conversation. Then, I happened to glance over at her boarding pass and saw her first name was "Frances", which was my grandmother's first name. Suddenly, I imagined my grandmother sitting next to someone in an airport and I thought to myself, "if this woman was my grandma, I'd want the person sitting next to her to be nice to her". My heart softened a bit as grandma seemed to be reminding me about the patience and kindness that was so much a part of the way she treated those around her. We talked a bit longer and she mentioned that she was also from Spokane and anxious to get back home. She asked K a few questions, which he answered very politely. K even asked her a few questions and told her about the upcoming cold front, especially where he lived in the mountains. As we sat there talking, and I listened to her repeat herself , I smiled and remembered some of the last conversations I had with my own grandmother.

When she got up to stand in line, K and I looked at each other and we both commented on her name, which surprisingly, K had noticed also. When I told him that I miss grandma, K said what had already been on my mind - "the holidays are not the same this year without grandma".

10 Comments:

Blogger tweetey30 said...

Holidays arent the same without the ones you love. I had the same reaction over Thanksgiving but I did mine differently really.

Is K looking forward to his new Baby Brother yet? I do have the afghan but after what happened to my brother I am waiting. Call it superstitions but I am leary ok.. Just let me know when you have him and I will send it.

8:19 AM  
Blogger Notta Wallflower said...

Tweety - K is finally talking about his new brother-to-be, without me bringing it up. He really didn't for the longest time, but now that it's closer, he talks about the kind of relationship he sees himself having with Jellybean and what he wants to teach him. It makes me feel very good to hear K talk like that.

8:23 AM  
Blogger mckay said...

what a blessing you were given the chance to sit and talk and remember. you and K are good souls to take time to be kind to the grandma frances. it's the little things that make this world a better place.

4:25 AM  
Blogger Notta Wallflower said...

McKay - I only do good things occasionally. It was her name that got me, but I felt better being nice to her. I guess that's what matters.

8:39 AM  
Blogger S.M. Elliott said...

Glad you had a good Thanksgiving!

What an awesome reminder of the value of patience...it's something I need to keep in mind! We're always in a rush, but does being impatient get things done any faster? Sometimes we need to just relax, be in the moment, and enjoy where we're at - especially at this time of year, when so many people are lonely and just reaching out for a few kind words from a stranger. Thanks so much for posting this.

2:07 PM  
Blogger Notta Wallflower said...

SME - No problem. It's funny, every time I catch myself in a rush, especially on the road or in a store, I really don't get done with things any faster. And besides, what's a few minutes in the grand scheme? Hope that you enjoy the upcoming holiday. :-)

2:12 PM  
Blogger The Zombieslayer said...

Notta - One warning about living in California too long: you lose your patience easily.

I've noticed I've done the same thing and tried to correct myself before I acted like a Californian.

1:18 PM  
Blogger Notta Wallflower said...

ZS - That's sort of what I was afraid of, although living in Seattle will do it to ya also. But especially notice it when I go home to Eastern Washington. Everything is at a slower pace and, what I grew up being used to, I now find irritating.

2:56 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

(From Tulsa): I feel your sense of loss. But what an amazing story you wrote here about the power of compassion. Your Grandma would be so proud! :)

9:32 PM  
Blogger Notta Wallflower said...

Hey Michael - Good to hear from you. Is Tulsa where you landed? I hope your move went well, or if you're still in process, that it's going okay so far. :-)

12:47 PM  

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