back porch time

Last week all my children and grandchildren went back to California.  While I am sure I will enjoy the next few weeks with a slower pace and a quieter cottage, right now it is almost too quiet.  I mean, yes, I got a good night’s sleep that first night after they left, but I woke with an undergirding of sadness.  I long for those little bodies snuggling up close to mine.

On one of the last days that they were here, my older granddaughter, Charlotte, found me on the back porch, reading my book.  Without a word, she sat down next to me, opened up her book and sat companionably near, each of us reading.  I wondered, “Why haven’t we been doing THIS all summer, instead of right now on the almost-last day of their visit?” 

I miss the sound of little feet getting out of bed and padding around above me, knowing that they will soon come down the stairs, sleepy-eyed and want to start the day.  I miss the endless games of War on the front porch.  I miss the boys wanting one more ride in the kayak with Lala, or Everett running up to me to give me leg hugs whenever and wherever he sees me. 

I know that I will see them all in about a month, when Dave and I get home.  But there is nothing like the concentrated and unrestricted grandparent time we have at our summer haven on Lake Michigan. 

Love, Liz