Being The Smallest

He might be the smallest, but he sure can hold his own. When he does this holding of his own, the other two stand in awe and respect. For a while, they find other pursuits. They'll try again later.

He loves the other two and gazes at them as if they are Rock Stars. They are so talented and funny that he laughs at all their jokes, even when he doesn't understand them. They love this. Every comedian appreciates a willing audience.

One day he was taken on a visit to Great-Grandma's farm. It was big, and seemed filled with farming implements that Grandpa and Daddy could take them for rides on. They ran and threw balls and hollered and went into a wheat field. But then suddenly he was yawning and found himself, rather swiftly, placed inside a warm bath. 

This was a signal that bedtime would be soon but he wanted Great Grandma first, all by himself. This didn't happen often, but he was released while the other two were being scrubbed mercilessly by their mother. He crept to the living room and climbed up onto Great Grandma's lap.

She chatted, and laughed, and they snuggled up together like old chums. Great Grandma was so good at snuggling and listening. She was never in a hurry, which is one of the real advantages of having a Grandmother.

He also knows how to listen. He listened and watched carefully as a visiting doe came one day outside this sweet woodland cabin. He was quiet, because he knew that speaking might scare the doe. He had learned that 'doe' means a lady deer, usually a mother. He was fond of mothers because his own was wonderful and lovely and hilarious. She knew just how to make him happy whenever happiness was needed.

He might not always know it, but it is very nice to be the smallest. You don't have to go anywhere to sit up straight and do your sums and turn in your homework. You don't have rules that make you be in a line, or not talk back, or correct your mistakes. You can still be home, with Mother. And Grandmother! Yes, it is nice to be the smallest.

Rules, and responsibilities, and homework can wait. In the meantime, there's always a Grandmother.

See you along the way,

The SconeLady