Waterton Renewed

Waterton Park had its own kind of charm on Monday, Victoria Day, 2024. One park visitor exclaimed "It was 10 times more than what I expected it to be." On Monday afternoon, it was drizzly and rainy with a little bit of slush mixed in. My husband and I decided to make the drive to Waterton thinking that the bad weather should not dictate to us that we had to stay home. We enjoyed the beauty, serenity and, the sighting of wildlife. Prior to the town site, we were met, right and left, with a carpet of gold, arrow leafed balsam root plant, that from a distance resembled the yellow of daffodils.

Sometimes on the Victoria Week-end we see so many people we can't count them all. By late Monday many of the mobile home camping spots were vacant. The tent camping spots were totally empty. Some might have thought that the snow on Friday was a deterrent. After soaking in the quietness of the town, we headed towards Cameron Lake. Tiny white blossoms and yellow blossoms dotted the sides of the road. They were still few and small, but visible, as were the willows and bushes just beginning to bud out. There, we saw the new conifer seedlings carpeting the ground amongst the burnt out stand of the lodge pole pines. I was once concerned that the park was not doing enough to replenish the tree population in that area after the Kenow Wildfire came through Waterton in September of 2017. Now I see their wisdom. After a fire, nature does renew itself.

Rain met us at Cameron where there was still ice candled in the water. The pontoons for the docks were still on dry land. There, we visited with people from Texas staying at the Prince of Wales Hotel and a couple with German accents. Though they were wet, they were still thrilled with their week-end.

We found sunshine and wildlife on our way down the mountain road. A grouse was just sitting in the middle of the road. A black bear cub nibbled at the grass with its back just 20 yards from a few mountain sheep. Another 50 yards down the road, more mountain sheep were seen on an embankment intently watching for something. It could have been the mother bear.

Around the last bend, before the town site, 2 mule deer bucks in velvet sauntered in front of our vehicle with a larger one still in the bushes.

Close to the park gates, two Canada geese were wading in the water on the bank of the Waterton River. Willow trees were just budding out on the water's edge and new quaking aspens are now 4-6 feet tall. Then, six or more white tailed deer jumped across the road heading for the hills. We figured that the 3 hours spent soaking up the beauty, serenity and the wildlife was time well spent and certainly rewarding for a cold and rainy day.

Losing Library Books

I love reading – but not fiction and novels like others. I enjoy autobiographies, how-to books, books of fact. My father was an insatiable reader and had book cases of engineering and math texts and would read the newspaper daily from cover to cover beginning with the comics which he we hand over to his children. He would read at the kitchen table, in his study and in his bed. The only time I didn’t see him with a book in his hand was when he was doing yard work, sailing or hiking. He even had a book in his hand when he was fixing the car, the plumbing, the lights – then it was a how-to book. The children in my family enjoy the series books of vampires, lost loves, and mythical creatures. My husband likes mysteries, westerns and short stories from Readers’ Digest. He also collects books and videos for children and young adults to read and watch on their visits to our home in the summertime. The first book I really enjoyed reading was Cheaper By The Dozen. I have remembered that book with fondness for 60 years even following movies of it through my lifetime. First was the 1950 version with Clifton Webb and Myrna Loy. The second was the 2003 & 2005 version with Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt - Cheaper by the Dozen I and II. Now back to losing library books. The first ones I lost were back when I had preschoolers. I know I have paid for my share of them. That was the time pre-computer era when I was certain that I returned a number of books. They were checked in by hand using the cards in the back of the books. Early in the 80’s, upon receiving an overdue phone call, one day, I stormed off to the library. The librarian told me those books were not in and I would keep paying fines or have to pay for the book. I opted to look for the books on the shelf, so I proceeded to sit on the floor and go thru the books a dozen at a time taking them off the shelf and putting them back on again. Sure enough, after almost an hour, I found them both on the shelf without cards. Now, all books that come in and out are scanned by the computer. Millions of books each year go in and out of libraries. Even though there are still books that are lost, librarians are angels that help families who have lost family withdrawals. I’m sure there are still some books unaccounted for on the shelves or in toy boxes at home but the computer era has caught many more than they caught 3 decades ago.

Valentine's Day 2017

It was Valentine’s Day morning and I was on my way from one little town in southern Alberta to another. The morning was beautiful as I passed field after field of stubble and straw bales. Even though it is still winter here, it was 1 degree above freezing with the slight Chinook breeze brushing against the trees in the distance. There was snow in the borrow pit on each side of the road glistening in the sun. The music was softly echoing through the car with the occasional update of time. As expected, the car was running well and there were only a few cars and a farm grain truck going in either direction. Then, without warning, there was a large bang it my windshield like the sound of a shotgun during duck season. It is February and I was not expecting a sound like that even to be part of my world. It was so shocking that it made me flinch. A large boulder about 3 inches in diameter had hit the glass just on the outside of the rear view mirror attachment. The haphazard, half circle rings layered out from the center of the target and spanned a distance of about 8 inches. I have laughed as one car repair advertisement on the radio was calling something like this a smack or a kiss. We have had dents and have had rock chips and the like which maybe would have been classified as a kiss or a smack but today, this was a whopper of a jolt. What a Valentine’s Day present! As I looked for a wide section of the road, my first thought was to stop the car. As soon as I did so, I began to cry, not heavy, just a tear. Then, I called my husband to tell him what had happened. I had to share my experience with someone. We have been helping a brother and his wife who are over 70 and 85, worried about them passing and assisting them in these latter years, but I realized my own mortality was too close for comfort today. Had the rock been 12 inches more to the driver’s side, and had it gone through the window, it would have hit me in the head. So, I am just glad to be here. Every day is a miracle to be alive. Each of us has been endowed with a certain number of years on this earth. None of us knowing how many years or how we will go. We just know that we are blessed by that number. Each one of us should take advantage of every opportunity to be grateful for each new day. Counting all the things I am grateful for, I am grateful for the wonderful people and things in my life. I truly love and am grateful for my family, my extended family and my friends. I am grateful for my membership in my church and for my special church leaders. I am grateful for honest and upright political leaders and local civic and organization leaders, who serve tirelessly in our community. I am grateful for my neighborhood. Tonight as I received a dozen red roses from my dear husband and as I handed him a card and some candy, we are grateful for another day with each other to share our joys and sorrows, our good health and our aches and pains, our accomplishments and our down times. We are truly grateful for this day, Valentine’s Day, 2017.

A Mother Has Needs

We know that when everyone has a holiday, a mother doesn't. When everyone wants to take it easy, a mother: feeds people all day long, tends to little ones who are up at 5 am, talks to teens until way after midnight, helps look for lost items, helps to refill air in soccer balls or bike tires, plans activities, greets extra friends at the door and cleans up those extra spills on the kitchen floor.

Christmas is especially difficult because a mom is expected to do more fancy baking, expected to decorate, expected to buy the presents, expected to do the wrapping, expected to help kids to purchase presents for siblings or great aunts.

She is expected to go to concerts at school, to be a party organizer, and to dry winter-wear overnight. As well, she tries to keep up with the mounds of laundry, normal meals, and the monitoring of the comings and goings of each family member.

A mother needs a maid to come in to clean up so that she can see the floor in the bathroom or find things in the closet. The maid also has to do laundry and windows.

A mother needs a cook to come in and put ready-to-eat meals in her freezer and make cookies for after school snacks.

A mother needs a busboy to come in nightly to clean the kitchen, empty the dishwasher and fill it so that her kitchen is clean the next morning.

A mother needs a plumber to fix leaks, take hair out of the sink drains and help with flooding toilets.

A mother needs a cosmetologist to fix her hair, her nails and her make-up so that she feels beautiful when she is home or out.

A mother needs a wardrobe consultant to advise her on her choices for the day - especially when things are too tight, baggy or out-of-date.

A mother needs a Pilate’s instructor to help her to exercise to feel rejuvenated.

A mother needs a spa coordinator to give her back her serenity with a full body massage and a facial to help with worry lines and crow’s-feet.

A mother needs a dental hygienist to clean her teeth when she goes for days not finding her toothbrush.

A mother needs a chauffeur to run the kids to school or a ball game that someone has to be to “NOW” and she is not dressed.

A mother needs a psychologist to advise her on how to handle a moody family member.

A mother needs a personal shopper to buy groceries without 3 in tow and little fingers putting extras into the basket. That shopper must also make some late night trips to the store for last minute project supplies or for the forgotten office potluck salad.

A mother needs a babysitter to keep the 3 kids from killing each other, tearing the house apart or coming in and out when she is trying to take a bath to relax.

A mother needs a smiling hologram of her standing in the middle of the house reassuring her family that they still cares in spite of being passed out on the bed from exhaustion.

A mother needs a vacation without the kids - to take a deep breath & to celebrate that she is still alive.

A mother needs a partner to love and cherish her and tell her that she is worth the sun, the moon and the stars and that raising a family is worth it.

That partner will also be there to make sure it all works out.

Beauty: In Frustrating Moments

Value: Beauty It was early Monday morning and my husband’s alarm on his Samsung Tab 3 went off just before 3:00 am. He was totally annoyed and couldn’t think why. Sometimes, we touch knobs and buttons by accident and we are altogether in the dark as to why things happen. So, as he wandered around the house seemingly wide awake he took a picture out of the front door to record a snow fall the day after Mother’s Day. It was only a skiff of snow, but the glistening of the streetlights and the powder white substance on the front lawn was a beautiful site. He was wide awake for several more minutes, but he soon was fast asleep again with his photo - a special prize! How many of us see beauty in our frustrating moments. Value beauty!

Nature: How serene!

Value: Nature To Hadley, solitude is yoga. To Emily, solitude is reading the scriptures. Today, my solitude is sitting in my car at the park under the shade of a tree with a warm breeze whispering through the front windows. The cottonwood leaves were shimmering high above where wispy and powder-puff clouds hover above. The birds are chirping in the distance accompanied by the whiz of vehicles about 300 yards away. The squeak of the playground swings are accompanied by father and child interacting and mother and son playing catch with a beach ball. Sounds echo close by in the slam of a car door and the conversations of two cyclists swiftly passing by my car. How serene! Two roller bladers pass by on the walking path 30 yards away. A flag waves proudly in the distance on the top of a tall building and some quail run swiftly across the pathway and grass into the bushes by my side. Nature is serenity - beautiful and peaceful. Value Nature!

Positive Reinforcement: You're A Good Breather

Value: Positive Reinforcement Have you ever told a co-worker “Good Job?” Have you told your son or daughter lately that you appreciate their help (no matter how great or small)? Have you smiled at a store clerk and thanked them for their assistance? Have you patted your dog’s head and said “Good Dog?” OR Have you ever had someone complain to you, yell, throw a pen (or something bigger) at you, scream, or hold up their “one” finger salute? I’m sure you would have preferred a positive comment rather than a negative one. We all need to use positive reinforcement even if it is only to say “You’re a good breather!” In our homes now, we are rushed to get off to work and school. We are stressed at the end of the day because of commitments, homework or a home that needs repairs, cleaning, or just everyday meal preparation. How many of us tend to find fault with or criticize our family members/friends or rag on them for things done wrong or not at all? Strive each day to find something nice to say. Find ways to complement each other. Find ways to bring kindness into your conversations. Find ways to reinforce good behavior in your children and loved ones. Value positive reinforcement!

Belief: Life After Death

Value: Belief We have had two distant cousins die in the last week from illnesses that have been brutal on each of these individuals. The first cousin died of ALS where the family watched a brilliant mother and wife who had been a gardener, a candy maker, and a community minded individual become unable to care for herself. The second cousin was a mother who survived cancer for 21 years and finally passed away in hospital. We had a daughter who died two years ago of colon cancer. She fought a good fight for 4½ years. She left four wonderful children still in their pre-teen state and a wonderful husband who cared for her each and every day. She had wonderful friends and family that rallied by her side with all modern medicine could do, but still the Lord wanted her home. She was heard calling out to and speaking briefly to her late grandmother who she saw at the foot of her bed the day before she died. Because I believe in life after death, in a life with loved ones and family, I know with all of my being that this life is not the end. All deaths are hard because we do not have them with us in this life to be part of our daily activities, but it is easy to know that it won’t be long until we are together again, laughing and talking in a world that is free of death, sorrow and pain. Value Belief!

Reading: Read To Me

Value: Reading Last month, I was impressed with an auto glass repair shop for having a book shelf in their waiting room along with a table full of magazines. On that book shelf were a several books that were unusual for an auto shop, for example: History of Art, RV Repair and Maintenance Manual, and Story of Painting. How nice it was to think that someone’s new talent for the future may have been found in one of those books. I love books. I look at, read, study, and peruse. I catalogue all my books at home by topic like a library so that I can find what I am looking for very easily. We have books for reference, like dictionaries, languages, gardening, computers, cooking, health, psychology, parenting, teaching, writing, etc. We have always had a collection. We get books from libraries, book stores (physical stores or online), or from garage sales, second hand stores, neighbors and ‘free to me’ book drop offs. My latest acquisitions have been the classics or other books - in duplicate. I keep them in my car and one grandchild will take one and then I can read with them in person, over the phone, or on FaceTime or Skype. Last night a 6 year old sat next to me intensely listening as I read the first 2 chapters of The Indian in the Cupboard. Cherish reading. Read to your children or those in your charge. Have them read to you or to each other. Turn off your other gaming electronics for an hour or more each day to foster reading. Imaginations can be fostered, interests can be captured and magic can happen thru books. Grades will improve and you will ignite a love of reading for the rest of their lives. Value Reading!

Courtesy: Morning Traffic

Value: Courtesy May 4th, I was on the I-15 first thing in the morning and found six lanes of heavy traffic. Upon entering the freeway, I stood still for 2 minutes and then I was able to proceed to 20 mph. Cars would try to change lanes and something unusual was happening. Cars parted and they were also allowing others to change lanes. I was amazed – was it the full moon. I maybe witnessed the honk for a car not jumping at a green light left turn but, hey, the day started great. Yet, the next day, I needed an extra dose of patience. The day started with every intersection hearing a horn honked and every lane of traffic had its clown who needed to dart in and out shoving their car into the tightest of openings. I don’t think everyone who drives has had driver’s education. I can really tell! There were no blinkers used for lane changes, no proper spaces left between vehicles, no shoulder checking and no courtesy for entering or exiting vehicles – either those already there or the new ones trying to make their move. Maybe my patience has to come from within before I even begin my drive? Value courtesy!

Time With My Daughter

Value Time! I picked up my married daughter from work a few nights ago, just because she needed the ride and I needed some time to just talk to her. It had been months since I had had any visit at all. The time went fast and we just talked, saying generally nothing, but spent that time together like the good old days when she was in high school. Back then I would pick her up from her evening job at the Welling store. Tonight, as we drove in drive way, she had to run saying a quick goodbye. We had spent less than 40 minutes together. We didn’t stop for gas or a pop or even a Slurpee like we sometimes do, but it was short and sweet, and I was privileged to be able to spend that time. Value Time!

Fuzzy Peach Candies

Value: Sharing I went to take the last of the Maynard fuzzy peach candies out of the sack between the front seats and my husband’s hand was in the sack first. He let out a laugh as if to say, “I got the last one!” I then reached in and found one more candy. “Ha Ha,” I replied, “I got the last one.” We laughed talking about looking out for ourselves in getting our fair share, but really when it comes down to it, we really look out for each other. We take care of each other and we share. That is really what our friendship is all about. Each of us grew up as one of six siblings and as parents of six children, we always had to share and tried to teach our children to share, i.e., the box of candy, the bike in the yard, the chores of mowing the lawn or feeding the dog. We all took our turns and tried to share just like dividing up a dessert. We also honored someone’s piece of the dessert and protected it until they were able to eat it later. That is part of sharing. Value Sharing!

Family Recipes

Value: Tradition My daughter asked me the other day for some recipes for her son – recipes that I used to make. Years ago, when I had teenagers, I took my recipes and carefully wrote my favorite ones - each on a half sheet of paper in my own handwriting and printed them out in pink paper. Then I bound each set together with a coil ring so that my daughters would have our favorite recipes to take with them babysitting, to a friends’ house, or off to college. It has been more than 20 years since I made up those little books and those pages have long since been lost, but I did type them into the computer and they are sealed in my memory.

Thinking about my daughter’s request, I went through my recipes on the computer and printed off the ones that would have been in that little notebook long ago. I have added a few more that have been special and I just glued them all into a little journal. Now, I have the nucleus of a book that I can make up for my grandchildren. Of the recipes I have collected, there are some from my in-laws and some from my daughter’s and son’s in-laws – a real family combination. This will be a fine tribute to our family. It is a collection of good food, special tastes, and valued memories. Value Tradition!

Family Celebrations

Value: Tradition This past week-end my daughter’s neighborhood was brimming with families all celebrating Cinco de Mayo – Children were playing with cousins and friends. Mothers were visiting with sisters and fathers were visiting with brothers. Two friends were tossing the football on the front lawn. The barbecue was on the patio with the fresh scent of meat and barbecue sauce as well as sounds were heard from the celebration at the park close by. It was a day of celebration. Family is important. We need the friendship, the support, the belonging that comes from friends and family. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. Today, the holiday has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage. The picture attached is one from this celebration. Value Tradition!

Hillside Funeral

Value: Serenity We were at the funeral last week of a first cousin once removed. As each of the five grown children got up to tell little stories about their mother it was evident that their mother loved a good time with her family laughing and singing, hiking and traveling. She spent many hours improving her education and researching her ancestors. As each child told of fun family experiences the congregation was entertained by their comical treasured moments with their mom. On a more serious note, the music and final remarks by her Bishop reminded us of the Gospel plan of where we came from, why we are here, and where we are going. As the family and friends gathered at the grave site, we were surprised to learn of a delay in the final graveside service. Many could have found fault or could have been upset, but as the cool breeze blew across the hillside, family and friends waited patiently providing more time for family to visit and to meditate on the beautiful surroundings of the final resting place of this dear mother. Value serenity!

Investigating Me

Value: Security Since getting my new, artificial knee a year ago, I now have a problem in airport security. Most often, I go through the larger scanner which will show a yellow spot at my knee and then a woman TSA agent will use her wand and go over my personage to detect the metal location. When she uses her gloved hand to ‘pat’ me down, normally, I smile and say “that’s OK!” and in 30 seconds, I am ready to leave. Last week I was flying to visit family and I expected the normal security only it was not. As I went through the scanner, I noticed a large yellow target on my belly. I could not imagine what was wrong. After the scanner, I had 2 female TSA agents check me out. The first one seemed busy, the area was crowded and the traffic was heavy so after many swipes, she turned me over to another agent. After several more swipes with her hands, I began to feel embarrassed. I mentioned that maybe we should have done this privately and I saw a look of hostility with the retort “Do you think so?” “No, I am OK!” I quickly snapped. Another 15 seconds and we were done with that part. Then, we gathered up my satchel and my purse and the agent proceeded to swipe inside and outside of every little pocket and crevice with about five different, little residue strips. After replaying this scenario to my husband at the end of my trip, my husband just laughed. What was wrong, I asked myself. Looking down at my midsection, I then realized something new. The shirt I was wearing had sequins all over the front of it in the same pattern that I had seen on the scanner. Feeling my foolishness for being upset, I realized that I had experienced TSA thoroughly investigating something unusual. Threat comes in many disguises. Value Security!

Even Mistakes Have a Purpose

Value: Learning from Mistakes. Yesterday, I thought that I was having a blond or a senior moment. Maybe I was! I was at the corner store buying milk and bread. I tried to use my bank debit card, then my MasterCard and then another credit card. Nothing would work. I didn't even have cash on me. I thought that I may have been a target of some foul play so I decided to go next door to the bank and check on my accounts. All were OK. Then, I sat in my car and phoned my credit car company and told them that I had been out of town two weeks ago, but that I was home now. They told me that they had that information and that my credit was available and that maybe it was that the store machines were not working. Going back into the store now feeling like I was ready for an argument, I tried the card again and it didn't work. A second clerk standing near the first for support leaned over to me and asked if I had entered my pin. "Oh,"I exclaimed. "No I didn't and I hadn't before either." We had a laugh and they made certain to tell me that I should come on a Thursday when seniors got 20% off on many items. Four hours later, I received a call from my credit card company. "Kristi?" the man on the phone asked. "Are you home? This is ...... from your bank credit card company and your card has just been used at Target in New York for $687.51 (amount approximate), but it was declined. We know that you called our office today." Wanting to verify what the man was saying, I told them that I would not give any information over the phone to him, but that I would call my company at a number on the back of my card. When I called my card company, they verified what the man had said. They will send me another card with a new number so I promptly cut up the one in question.

I believe that my mistake of not entering my pin number made me more aware of my own financial safety and I believe that when some things happen, they happen for a reason. Live each day with ability to jump over the rough spots because sometimes even Mistakes have a Purpose.

Settling Arguments

Value Communication and Negotiation. My husband and I were having lunch the other day with some dear friends, Marty & Geri. Because they have as many grandchildren as we do and they had 8 children and we had six, lessons taught children in awkward and funny circumstances always is discussed. This time we discussed at length the value of settling arguments or the value of teaching grandchildren how to settle arguments. They told us some of their philosophies of how they taught their children to settle their own arguments. Because it was always difficult with 8 children to know where the argument started they would take both children and sit them on the stairway and tell them that they could not move until they were friends again. Sometimes it would take a short time and sometimes it would take a long time. As these children sat on the stairs they would have to decide whose turn it was to play with which toy. Sometimes it was very difficult. But after a while they would both come down from the stairway and go back to what they were doing. Sometimes Geri would see her children take themselves to the stairway to discuss a problem and then go back to playing. The stairway was neutral ground where they could both think clearly about the outcome of their dilemma. Sometimes Marty could hear negotiations coming from the middle of the floor. The children didn’t always need to go to the stairway. These children had learned the art of negotiation without argument which has kept these siblings friends to this day some 30 years later. Isn’t it essential for us to teach this to our children in this day and age where there is so much to disagree about with our peers and our own siblings? Teaching children to negotiate a peaceful settlement is a value worth teaching.

Cyber Bullying

Value Communication & Technology. It is used for so many wonderful things and wonderful learning experiences, but it can also be used in destructive ways. We have a responsibility to protect our children by educating them in the ways to act, use and to behave on the internet and with our technology. You can help by educating your family. According to http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/cyber-bullying-statistics.html there is a problem. “Cyber bullying affects many adolescents and teens on a daily basis. Cyber bullying involves using technology, like cell phones and the Internet, to bully or harass another person. Cyber bullying can take many forms: 1. Sending mean messages or threats to a person’s email account or cell phone. 2. Spreading rumors online or through tests 3. Posting hurtful or threatening messages on social networking sites or web pages. 4. Stealing a person’s account information to break into their account and send damaging messages. 5. Pretending to be someone else online to hurt another person. 6. Sexting, or circulating sexually suggestive pictures or messages about a person. In an article published by Raychelle Cassanda Lohmann M.S., L.P C., on May 14, 2012, in Psychology Today, she tells how teens can protect themselves. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/teen-angst/201205/cyberbullying-versus-traditional-bullying 1. Tell a trusted adult if you’re being cyber bullied. 2. If you know someone who’s being a cyber bully, tell her/him to knock it off, if they don’t report it. 3. Contact host/site provides if inappropriate materials is being posted on their site. 4. Save all evidence if you’re being bullied online. Don’t delete without keeping a coy for yourself. 5. Don’t respond to rude messages 6. If someone angers you, wait, don’t fire off a rude comeback. It’ll only make things worse. 7. Don’t share personal information online. 8. Protect your user name and password. Don’t share it with friends. 9. Don’t open anything from someone you don’t know 10. Keep privacy settings on your computer. Secure your information 11. Choose your friends wisely. 12. Only accept close friends on your social networking sites. 13. Don’t post anything online that you wouldn’t mind your parents seeing. 14. Most importantly, treat others as you want to be treated. My children and my grandchildren have already been subjected to these kinds of things and I feel that it has to stop. We need to educate our children to report problems as they happen to their parents and also, if necessary, to legal authorities. We can protect our children by educating them to be able to act and not react. Technology Self Defense is a Value.

Family Night at the School

Value obedience and love. He did not look rebellious, standing there with his hands to his eyes and his head pressed against the glass. He was only seven and had dashed away from home in only knee shorts, a Tee shirt, runners with black socks and a black baseball cap perched up on his head as he peered in through the school door windows. He arrived at the school when there had been a family seeking information from the custodian regarding the family night activity. Austin had stayed behind when they left, between the two sets of doors, just waiting for the doors to open in fifteen minutes. He then had thirty minutes more before show time. "How lonesome he looks" I thought as I sent a text on my phone to his parents telling them I would bring him home. Thirty minutes ago, he had left the house not aware that his family had other plans tonight and had explained to the other children that they were not going to attend. Panic struck Mom and Dad when they found he was gone. It was dark and cold outside, maybe 44 F. He ran down the dark path past the two blocks of houses, some decorated with Christmas lights that lit his way. Then, he came to the to the dark, duck pond swollen with blackness, not even a moon out to reflect its light and the sun had faded from the sky a good hour ago. As I walked up to the door of the school, he turned around and looked up at me. I held out my hand and he came sweetly and obediently with me to my car. As his grandmother, I told him how worried we had been and how dangerous it could have been. He replied with his own impressions of what was happening. He expressed concern about getting there on time and told me that the last time his family had attended the school’s family night they were late and missed the movie. He told me about school and about the little girl who chases him at recess. He went on and on all about school as we rounded each corner. As we pulled up in front of his house, his dad was waiting on the porch for him. As he hopped out of the car, I told him I loved him and he said “I love you too, Grandma." He closed the car door and walked with a spring to his step all the way up to his father. I know that I gained a new love for that little boy that night because of how sweet he was to me when I stretched out my hand. In my mind, peace and understanding span all of the chasms of disobedience.