The best gifts are not always the most expensive. Skating with my grandson William was the best present I have had in years. Instead of laboring to help him put on his skates before mine, he has reached the age where he can do it himself and even beat me out onto the ice while impatiently saying ” I’ll wait for you outside” Finally donning my skates I chased him as he skated in circles around the rink, I was secretly celebrating inside that I could still catch up to him. But my ego was deflated when I came to the realization that he was still going strong after 10 laps and I needed a rest.
Standing on the ice at the boards I watched him try to impress 3 young ladies around his age by speeding past and turning to skate backwards before he fell. I empathized with him as I remember trying to impress my grade school heartthrob when I misplayed a ground ball that I fielded with the family jewels. Of course he denied he was trying to impress the ladies. We skated until my next rest stop. After not seeing him for several minutes, I panicked. “Grandma will kill me if he is hurt or kidnapped.”
Finally, I saw him talking to a young couple with their 3 year old son who was inching his way with the help of the parents. William was giving them and the three year old a pep talk. He relayed how he could not skate well at three. William started giving instructions to the 3 year old who listened intently. I skated over and introduced myself to the parents. When I tried to tow the 3 year old as I skated backward he wanted none of it. He refused to hold my hand. So I left him be and skated aside where William came to me and said “Grandpa, you don’t have to listen to kids. They don’t know they are too young and you are teaching them.”
Well after a while we took leave and the three year old shouted “Bye, bye William!” somehow in spite of the cold, I felt warm inside.
Later at home, Barb called for William, but he was no where in sight. Barb thought he was with me and I told her I had not seen him for a while. Wondering where he was hiding, it dawned on me, “Lets check the back room.” Sure enough William strolled out. Barb wondered what he was doing back there when I told her “Probably trying to find hidden Christmas presents.” We both laughed. The presents were “hidden” in plain sight under the tree (with other peoples names to thwart inquiring minds who want to know).
Although I still would like the $3,000,000 car that also works underwater, or a twin engine, 9 seat airplane, I think this day tops the list.