Ryan never met my dad. He died a few months before she was born. It broke my heart that they would never know each other but I was still determined to foster a 'relationship' between them. As such, I've always told her stories about him to make him as tangible as I could for her. It worked, as her Grandpa has always been a part of her life... a part she has never questioned... a part she has always accepted... a part as real as her other flesh and blood family.
When she was nearly four, she developed quite an elaborate theory about the weather... and my dad... which, truth be told, made perfect sense to me. We were driving home from the sitter's one afternoon when this conversation took place...
Me: Whew, it's hot. I hope the weatherman is calling for rain tonight.
Ry: Mama, you know Grandpa's the weatherman, don't you?
Me: Grandpa?
Ry: Uh huh. Grandpa keeps all the weather in a special room in Heaven and he decides what kind to send us.
Me: He keeps it in a room?
Ry: Uh huh. In cans on a shelf. And when he wants to send us weather, he opens the can and sprinkles it down on us.
Me: Oh, I see. I didn't know that. (How did I not know that?)
Ry: Uh huh. That's why it doesn't snow here. (We were living in Charlotte at the time.) Grandpa didn't like snow. So he doesn't send us any.
Me: Well, that doesn't seem right, does it? Since we like snow and all.
Ry: I know. I need to talk to Grandpa about that.
Me: Well, why do you suppose he sends Uncle Iain and Aunt Tania winter in the summer and summer in the winter? (We have quite a bit of family in Australia and New Zealand.)
Ry: I think maybe Grandpa drinks too much wine in Heaven and he gets confused sometimes.
Me (snickering): Yup. That sounds like Grandpa!
Given the 90+ temps we've been experiencing these past few days, I'm thinking maybe my dad's on the sauce again. I'll have to get Ryan to have a little chat with her Grandpa.
23 comments:
LOL...Funny and too cute. :)
That's adorable! I love that she brought in that wine line. :-) She's such a fun young lady!
Just maybe your dad and my dad KNOW each other and are "on the sauce" together!
Ry is so funny! And quick on her feet! (I think she may get that from you!)
When I was little and people asked what my dad did for a living, I always said, "he has a job in heaven!" I was never specific about the kind of work he did. So, maybe he's helping your dad with the weather and they are laughing and talking and kicking back -- smiling down on us and the fact that we've FINALLY "met."
;-)
All this time I had just assumed the weather was caused by my Grandpa.
[thinking hard]
Maybe all the Grandpas are in the weather room?
Ah, don't you just love the imagination of children? It is a one of a kind logic.;)
This reminds me of my own theory that I developed being about 6 years old; I considered the sky made of glass that was painted blue by a deity, with occasional clouds on it and a filled with tiny holes through which the rain would pour down on us. Sun was a large bulb that is turned on and off.;) I remember to this day making it all up as I went along and telling this to my father once, when we took a long walk. I remember he did not have many comments, just kept smiling and nodding his head.;)) Hehe, have not thought about this for decades.;))
That's awesome! I love the way she thinks!
Can you ask your dad to send me 90 degrees? I would love that, really. :-)
Kids are the best and so intuitive. I guess she knows her grandpa huh??
HAPPY HUMP DAY DIANE!!!
I love the way she thought that out...and I agree that makes sense to me!
She should write a children's book. That's some great stuff right there!
Oh, THAT is priceless. (I'll have to bring my best Merlot when I meet your dad in heaven. Or maybe a nice Cab?) ;)
Oh, that's adorable!! When Ryan talks to her grandpa, think she could ask him to send clear skies over Birmingham Friday night? I'll be at an outdoor event and would really appreciate it. :)
She is really amazing! I believe her.
Ask The Weatherman if he knows anyone in the winning powerball numbers office next time.
On the sauce, eh?
Well, I reckon you'de have that. Might kind'a boring just sitting around in Heaven tossing some weather down every once and a while.
A few more rainbows would be oK with me.
I've always liked rainbows.
They seem so magical....
Love it! Can she talk to him about making some changes over here in Colorado?
She is so adorable. I loved her last statement. Kids are soooooooo funny
I think its wonderful that you kept his memory alive for her.
I think all meteorologists would be better off delivering their forecasts after taking a few nips at the bottle.
Hey, there's a weather theme this week! ;)
That little sweetie is going to be such a story-teller, and probably a famous writer, when she grows...
The acorn doesn't fall far from the tree, Diane... My dad and he must be on the sherry up there - It's that time of evening, and I am certain they two would have got along like a house on fire! I can see them raising their glasses now...
Thank you, and Ryan, for that thought! x
Aww I love this! Very sweet and love that she was only 4 when she said it :)
We had one day of 90 last week and now it's in the upper 70s but soooo overcast for days now and "only" 75% humidity ... blech!!
there are times when I wonder why I don't think of things, like why do I not look for the most recent post to post a comment to instead of ... well, anyway, I'm so glad I did (and braja linked me to you at that particular sign post so I am obedient sometimes)
and now this, what a treasure to read and how blessed you are to have this dear heart to raise you because she is...it's an illusion we raise our kids, they just raise our consciousness a bit more and then fly off to think they need to raise their own...it's very weird and backward but seems to work somewhat to make everyone keep on keeping on....
thanks for sharing such a sweet spirit...I have not met her but feel she just swept through my heart..
blessings...
I love this kind of stuff. The mind of a child is a wondrous thing.
beautiful- i love the world of Diane and Ryan. it makes so much sense xx
That is so cute, children are so sweet and honest. ♡
My son, too, was born after my father died. His first grade teacher had tears in her eyes when she gave me the poem my boy had written:
"I never met my grandfather.
I wish I had
Sometimes I feel he is watching me."
In my blog, I have a post about the gauze curtain, or something, that separates us from whatever is out there. I think kids see-feel farther past it than we do. Or something.
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