When we have matured like fine wine, our energy levels slightly diminish (I have no idea where they go), and we are less able to do the active things we did in younger days, for long periods of time. I’ve noticed that after an hour of washing floors I need a five minute break, whereas ten years ago I could carry on for at least another hour.
When I am expecting George, my 7 year old very active grandson, I have to prepare myself for the event. George is the baby of the grandkids. All the rest are grown up, some married, some in their teens, but no longer in what I term as the ‘child’ mode.
George loves to come and turn my neat place into a battle ground with plastic soldiers which torture my feet (because I walk around with no shoes, always have), when the odd ones get left hidden in the pile of my rug, and my vacuum accessories turn into machine guns or torpedos!
My prep includes making sure I have enough goodies and his favourite drinks which he informs me must be caffeine free and zero sugar, a very wise choice for a 7 year old! He is a finicky eater, a bit like his eldest brother Alfie who at 18 is still a finicky eater. He likes scrambled eggs for lunch with Yorkshire puddings, I know don’t ask, but that is what he wants. He will eat an apple, and a cookie in between.
The day before I go for a long walk to get myself ready for the occasion in the park so I can tune into nature to calm myself before the battle. George is a delight, he brightens up my life in many ways. He is older for his age and loves anything that is retro and the eighties era. For example at the moment he is into the very first episodes of Star Trek and takes great pleasure in interrogating me to see if I remember all the characters!
After George has gone I set about clearing up the battle ground where I’ve had to be the enemy and goodness knows how many times I’ve been captured, or died. George will say, that was fun, and I smile and nod in agreement as my body aches slightly and I feel just a wee but dizzy from all the excitement. When all is done I sit down with a very strong cup of tea.
I would not swap these golden days for anything, and next school holiday will see a repeat performance; well at least for another year before George out grows his battle days. But, I have the memories of these great times, and I can truthfully say I fought my battle well even if I did die a thousand times throughout the past few years!
We will battle again George, next time!