As older adults, we sometimes feel as if we’ve seen and done it all; there is little that surprises us anymore. An awareness of loss, of time growing shorter, may preoccupy us.
But The Grandest Love takes us to an oasis in time and space, an oasis where promise – not loss – reigns. No question: there’s a bit of magic about it. As harried and uncertain as life can be nowadays – in this place, the days are sweeter, gentler, and filled with amazement and delight even if it’s been a very long time since you were thoroughly delighted or amazed or delighted.
This place, this moment in time, is the intersection where grandparents and grandchildren meet. If you’re already there, you know what I’m talking out. If not: get ready to marvel, and to make the most of it.
Of course, even in this land of sweetness, the landscape isn’t perfect. But The Grandest Love has a way of making things work out. Some fortunate grandparents can still play a mean game of tennis with their grandkids. Others will cuddle on the couch and play gin rummy. Taking a grandchild to Paris? Fabulous, if you are in good=enough health and can afford expensive vacations. Creating a Project-Runway-style fashion show on the “runway” of your living-room rug? Priceless.
Your pint-sized fellow travelers look up to you – literally and figuratively. One day, they won’t be little anymore, and will be occupied with pursuits and (unfortunately) pressures of their own. But you’ll always have Paris, or that living room – and most of all, their deep and abiding trust.
That’s what will come – I promise you – from reading and singing and drawing together, from drinking the rain, eating ice cream before dinner (shhh… don’t tell!), catching frogs, growing herbs; making paper airplanes and collages, spaghetti and messes.
Go on: climb into the Batmobile – you’re Batman and he/she is Robin. Compose an email to the President of the United States. Paint each other’s nails – each nail, a different color. Introduce a five-year-old to Woody Woodpecker, a 15-year-old to Woody Allen. Get tips from a 10-year-old on how to play games on your iPhone.
