Above the noise of the poo-diaper change, which Margot was energetically protesting, I heard the unexpected sound of our neighbors below. Evidently, Jack had beckoned them in - hand on hip in the doorway in a manner vaguely reminiscent of the Reeperbahn - with a bellowed shout: ‘Wanna see my RockJewelry?!’ You betcha we do! RockJewelry started life as a collection of buttons…. my buttons, to be more precise… but as is the way of these things where little people are concerned, mine and thine quickly became confused, and soon Jack emerged victorious as the new possessor of my button jar. Over time, additions have been made to the collection, and now Jack has acquired quite a sizeable array of rocks, stones, jade tree leaves, some type of twig-things more commonly known as ‘dinosaur eggs’ (friend Karydis swears they are), all to be displayed, crooned over, and (if you are very lucky….) solemnly presented as a Special Gift….
Jack does actually have real toys – quite a few of them, lovingly arrayed in sustainably-sourced wooden play structures (ha ha!), all gathering a fine layer of dust – but none so beloved as things that are FREE. Which brings me to today’s conclusion and the Moral of the Story: Grandparents, take heed! Give your grandchildren a collection of pine cones and spend the money you saved on WINE for your poor, beleaguered children. Failing wine, a lovely bottle of Pimm’s will do. Please send all donations to Jack’s house, care of his parents. It will be gratefully received. Thank you.
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