Magic in the Air

Sometimes as a grandmother I feel magic in the air. It embraces me like a gentle breeze coming off the lake in the middle of a hot hazy day. It doesn’t happen often but when it does I want the day to go on forever.

One crisp fall morning in 2002 we embarked on a trip to Hartwick Pines with our grandchildren. It was a long two-hour van ride filled with songs and stories, math story problems and spelling words. After hours of sitting in the car, a long walk in the woods seemed like a perfect idea. The kids weren’t so sure but we talked them into going for a short walk which ended up being a couple hours.

Once we got on the trails they perked up and were very excited. We found treasures along the way, a beautiful maple leaf, a stick, stones, and pinecones, all had to be held by Nana or Papa, except for the stick of course, that was too good to hand off.

Pretty soon even the stick was surrendered and they started skipping, laughing, jumping, doing cartwheels, running and racing. They found huge trees and made Papa put his arms around them to see if he could touch his fingers. They were surprised when he couldn’t and they were even more surprised when he told them how old the trees were.

We stopped at the historic buildings, a store, and the lumbermen’s dining and sleeping areas. Then we came to the little church nestled in the woods. We went in and the kids wanted to sing a song. With the sun streaming in the cross window, we sang the song of thanksgiving that Aunt Cindy taught us.

“Oh the Lord is good to me, and so I thank the Lord, for giving me the things I need, the sun and the rain and the apple seed, the Lord is good to me. Amen…. Amen… Amen, Amen, Amen… Ahhhhmen.”

Then we went out and took pictures. The kids wanted to pose on the benches and fences, and then they wanted Nana and Papa to pose so they could take pictures. Those pictures captured the fun and relaxation of the day.

When we got back to the van I spread the blanket on the ground and the kids got out their sketchpads and crayons and pencils. They drew pictures of the trees and the bridge and they talked to the birds with whistles and hoots. After a bit Papa got out the ball and they played catch in the long driveway of the parking lot. Then Robbie found a salamander and that made for the most perfect day. We had to talk him into letting it go before we left – Nana is not Aunt Cindy – NO lizards in the car!

On the way home they played quietly in the back seat, exhausted from the fun and fresh air. Forever I will remember this day; it was what being a grandparent is all about. A day filled with sunshine and love and nature. A day I expected to see wood nymphs and fairies peeking from behind the great pines; a day filled with grandchildren and magic.