Courtney's Love Lesson
The July day was bursting with sunshine
and warmth. The kind of day that whispers, "Let's go
to the beach."
Fridays were dear to my heart because Friday was my day to
baby-sit our beloved grandchildren,Mikey, three years old, and
Courtney, two. Taking them to the beach could only make the
day more heavenly.Well . . .
What seemed like a wonderful idea at 10:00 A.M. didn’t seem
quite so wonderful at 11:00 A.M. as I began unloading the car
with all the beach necessities: a blanket, cooler, sand toys, beach
towels and two rambunctious toddlers.What in the world had
I been thinking? How could I manage all this by myself from
the parking lot, which was a city block away from Lake
Michigan’s edge?
"Dear God, help me," I prayed as I stood there a wee bit
overwhelmed, waiting for the morning's estrogen to kick in
and calm me down. Just then a group of young, strong men
walked by.
"Excuse me," I said. “Would you like to carry some of these
things for us? The children are so excited, and I just can't do
it all."
The taller of the three, blond and tanned like a California
surfer, smiled and answered, "I'd be happy to help. I remember,
as a kid, my Gram taking me to the beach."
A short time later, we wished our godsends a happy day as
we staked out our homestead a foot from the water's edge and
began building a secret tunnel that would take us to Disney
World.Mikey was eager to play in the water, splash and “swim,”
but not Courtney, for the vastness of Lake Michigan and the
rolling waves seemed to frighten her.Mikey and I played in the
water as Courtney sat in the sand contentedly digging, filling
and emptying her pail. No amount of coaxing could persuade
her to come into the water.
Suddenly, a strong wind came up, and Gramma's straw
beach hat took wings and sailed out across the waves.
"Gram, your hat!" Mikey screamed excitedly.
"I guess it wanted to go swimming, too." We laughed,
watching as the waves carried it further out. Then out of the
corner of my eye, I saw Courtney step into the water, her little
feet taking small, determined steps.
"Court, you're in the water?" Mikey shouted gleefully.
"Me get Gramma's hat," she answered as one little foot was
placed in front of the other.
I stood there in the presence of the Lord, who had created
this beautiful day, and these grandchildren who lived within
my soul, and tears fell from my eyes. Here was a child, so filled
with pure love, that her fears were overlooked as she stepped
into the water to rescue Gramma’s hat.
Scooping Courtney into my arms I whispered, "I love you so
much," as we waved good-bye to the beach hat. A five-dollar
special at Kmart had taught me a million-dollar lesson.
-Alice Collins
Chicken Soup for the Grandparent's Soul
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