Saturday afternoon. Grandson #2 is officially turning 8! So I decided once again this year (yes I like doing this) to take him shopping for his birthday. This way he could choose his own gift and we could share a meal or snack. His older brother, Justin came too.
First stop was Chapters. There was a special book he had in mind with skeletons on the cover.
Hmmmmm - not too sure about this, but we'll see.
Unfortunately, he couldn't find this particular book. Since it was a Saturday afternoon and the bookstore was exceptionally busy, I elected not to ask the employees for help. Ryan's description of his book was rather vague anyway.
Our next stop was Toys-R-Us. It was rather busy here too, but I didn't mind. Ryan could browse to his heart's content. After a while he chose his gift and we left the store.
Eating lunch at MacDonalds (his birthday, his choice), Ryan turned to me and said "was D...... very old when you married him?"
"No, " I answered somewhat perplexed by this question. But then, dear hubby has been on oxygen for 7 years, so in Ryan's short lifetime, my hubby has always been sick. And therefore, old.
"He was about 51 or 52", I continued, knowing full well that anyone over 18 must be old to an 8-year-old.
"So how old were you when you married him?"
"About 43 or 44."
"And how long ago was that?"
At this point Ryan's older brother piped up and said "why don't you just ask her how old she is?"
Oh, so that's what it was. I wondered where all the mental gymnastics, the calculation of years married, etc. was leading to. Yes, why didn't he just come out and ask me? I'm not one of those who hide their age. I understand people who do, but I really don't care who knows how old I am. His mother must have told him it was rude to ask an older person his or her age.
"We've been married 13 years," I decided to continue on with the discussion.
"So, you're 54?"
"No...7."
"You're 70?"
I burst out laughing and so did the lady at the next table, who had obviously been eavesdropping.
All in all, I'd say we had a good time.
22 comments:
Kids are something, aren't they. When I was teaching first grade, every now and then one of the children would ask me how old I was. I would just turn the question aroud and ask them how old they thought I was. They would usually say some young age...of course, I agreed.
That reminds me of Ella's asking me if I was too old to climb the ladder on the playset.
ha ha ha ha ha ha...children bring such joy and laughter, you just never know what will come out of their mouths!
Hi Bev, I just love a child's perspective of situations. They are so honest and blunt. When telling my young son to listen to the birds sing, he answered "where are the words?"
Hi Annette - Oh yeah, sometimes you just have to laugh.
Children are good value, they can always give you something to laugh about. What a great joy.
xoxoxo
That was quite funny!
At school I often do what Beverly suggested & turn the question round. That is funny too as I have had children say anything from 40 to 81! Sometimes I just say granny age!
Dear Wendy,
So very charming these Grandsons of yours are. I loved your responce about your son wanting to know about the words for the bird's songs....
Children delight me...
Namaste,
Sherry
Hi White Lilly, I do enjoy children in general and grandchildren in particular!
Hi Maggie May -oh, that's good. Those answers must give you a chuckle!
Hi Sherry, thank you - I do enjoy listening to children. Each child is special and has his or her own perspective. Sometimes you miss the fine details the first time 'round and sometimes those little details (bird's songs without words) just stick in your mind.
Namaste
What a clever grandson you have, Wendy. Really, such an intelligent way to ask "around" the question--and so funny, too. :)
My daughters apparently measure the "old" factor with hair color. They were shocked - SHOCKED, I tell you - to find out my mom's hair would be completely white if she didn't dye it brown.
Wendy, you're very brave to engage in conversations about years with somebody who is in single digits! Sunday was my birthday too, so happy birthday to Ryan! (I'm still in my double-digits, so I'm not yet too old)
Hi Wendy.....children are so funny.....and you write so well.....you often leave me with a smile.....
My little grandson(5) things I am terribly old.......when he starts to chat about my age, I grab a walking stick and stoop and speak with a funny voice. We both end up laughing together.....I hope that is how he will always remember me, that I can laugh at myself.
Like you I have no worries about my age.....I don't mind people knowing.....I have earnt the odd grey hair and line on my face........and age has its advantages, don't you think??
Hi Amy, yes, I was blown away by his deductive reasoning. This one has a mind for detail. Ha! Your daughters would be surprised to find out just how many people do colour their hair. LOL.
Hi Weeping Sore, oh,I love to encourage any discussions with children. And really what's in a number?
Hi Cheryl, your grandson sounds delightful! I am glad you can play games and yes, I am sure he will remember you as someone who can laugh - even at herself.
I totally agree - my gray hairs and wrinkles are signs of wisdom. Someone told me that (or maybe I read it) and I like that. So yes, age does have advantages.
Hugs,
What a laugh! I'm so looking forward to having similar conversations with my grandchildren when they are a little older!
When I asked my parents how old they were, my mother always said 21 and my dad always said 99... and it nere occurred to me to ask why there was such a huge age gap between them!
Ans as for colouring my hair, I've lived 6 decades now and have never had to colour my hair (yet!!)
What a terrific birthday idea for your grandson.
Hi Shammickite - my mother used to say "I'm as old as the hills!". We had a neighbour who said he was 95. Ha! He was in his late 20's in those years. You've never coloured your hair?????? Wow - I streak mine blonde. Just like when I was little.
Hi JeanMac, it works. The child gets to choose his (or her) own gift and I don't have to wrap it. LOL. Just kidding. I like to spend time with them too. It's just the child and me (or a sibling) instead of the parents, cousins, uncles, aunts - you get the picture.
What a lovely tradition, Wendy, to take the birthday boy (or girl) out for the day. So much more special to be able to pick out their present together!
We have a running joke at our house that I am 29. Last year I was 29, this year I am 29, and next year...etc. They can save the candles every year, and never have to buy new ones--well, except when they burn down. Ha! We have a lot of fun with it, and discussions about how I am younger than my youngest child!
That's so funny, we must seem so ancient to our grandchildren!!
My DIL told me that they were out a couple of days ago and Abby saw a lady with grey hair and said 'Gramma'!! Luckily the lady laughed and wasn't offended and she was only in her forties!!
Happy belated Birthday to your grandson! I bet he enjoyed his special day out with grandma, and being able to shop in a toy store to his heart's content.
A few years ago I told Granddaughter, then about 2 or 3,that my birthday was coming up and asked her to guess how old I was going to be. She thought for a moment and said, "I don't know, Grandma, but I know you're going to be really, really old." My son laughed hysterically. Ah, out of the mouths of babes...
Wendy, that was so sweet. And how wonderful to spend time with your grandkids on a special day. Loved reading the way you wrote about the conversation....
Hi Jen, 29 again, ey? LOL!
Hi Amelia, oh I think most people enjoy childrens' comments. They are so forthright. No hidden agendas.
Hi Rose, I guess we really are old. LOL!
Hi Kanak, thanks for your kind comments. I love seeing the flowers and countryside in your blog.
Great story! I have learned that I seem ancient to young children. I thought my mother was getting on in years when I was a teenager and she wasn't even 40. How our perspective changes.
Oh! That is so cute!
Hi Ruth, you are so right. My mom was in her 40's when I was a teen too. Oh, so old!! LOL!
Thanks Allie - wait until it's your turn! LOL
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