One Home with Many Hearts.

I have been at my son's house. He took his little family to Disneyland. I offered to house sit and take care of Lizzy, their dog.

Last Thursday I arrived at the house and it was the Bean and little Bean's last day of swimming lessons. Their mommy and I drove them down to the old swimming pool at the park. I remember this pool so well. I use to come here on hot summer days to swim and hang with my friends.

That was a long time ago. Now it is my grandchildren who are building memories.

THE BEAN IS SWIMMING!! He is six years old.

FLOATING... doing the BACKSTROKE. He is even coordinating his breathing with his strokes. This is something that his NONI never learned how to do. He was AWESOME in the water. 
He was so pleased with himself.

Can you see the smile? Can you see the new confidence?
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LITTLE BEAN IS FOUR YEARS OLD. He is fearless and wants to do as well as his brother. He is learning to be the Creature from the Black Lagoon.... only cuter.

I want you to know that this is one brave little boy.... after his lessons he jumped off of the diving board for the first time. They had to walk out there by themselves and just off into the deep water. 

This little girl, above, walked halfway out, stopped, turned around and got off. 

I REMEMBER THAT FEELING. I had pigtails too. 
Wait! I remember this like it was yesterday. I could have been that little girl. 
Maybe it was my imagination. I had a de ja vu moment. I understood her completely. I heard her inner voice say, "No way. I'm not jumping into all that water.".... and she didn't. It was a defining moment in her life. Maybe someday but NOT TODAY. ... no way.


I finally jumped off of a diving board when I was 14 years old. I still wasn't ready, but there was this really cute boy watching me. I wanted to make a great impression so I jumped. I almost drowned. I think it was worth all that water up my nose. I really don't remember.  It was not one of my finer moments.
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My grandson was next. He walk right out there and stood on the end of the board. I was fairly close to him so I said. "OK ! You can do it." (even though I was thinking "Maybe you shouldn't do this. You're so little.... wait... what are you doing....) and before I could say "Bonsai Bean", he jumped. 

MY HEART WAS IN MY THROAT! He went under the water, came back up and into the arms of his waiting instructor. We all shouted "That a boy!!", "All right!".... and I took a deep breath.

Little Bean got to play in the water fountain area for a few minutes....
Then he started to look cold....

Then he was shaking.....

Time to take the wet shirts off and wrap them in warm dry towels.

 Time to go home... with their special awards. 

Now they were full fledged, official water beans. They were tired and cold .... but proud.
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When my son came home from work they packed up and got into the car. They would drive about three hours south and stop somewhere overnight. Tomorrow....
DISNEYLAND, Lego Land and the beaches of Southern California.

I waved goodbye and walked back into the empty house.

This is the house that I was raised in. My parents bought this house in 1950. After Mom died, my son and his family moved here. They have been living here for about two years.

Even a year ago I would not have been able to stay here. Too many memories, too much sadness about my parents. It was very difficult to be here, in the house, without memories flooding into my heart and mind. 
Now, it's different. 
Grief is a odd thing, isn't it? Life goes on. The sadness lessens and now the old house has the laughter of my grandchildren in it. This laughter becomes the magic that brings change and chases away the scary remains of a house filled with 50 years of memories.
It's OK now. It's the way that it should be.
Now, my son's family will write their own story, here, and I will be a part of it again.


Lizzy and I would wait for them to return.

 Lizzy and I would "hold down the fort". It's only one week.
What could possibly go wrong?.....