On learning to fly

In between all the packing and fixing and organizing at home, we found the time to go see my dear, dear grandparents early this afternoon. It was a really nice visit, and I am already looking so much forward to the next time I'll be back to visit them.

Having our grandparents only a 20 minute drive away throughout our childhood has meant so much for us kids. I think that a lot of that feeling of belonging, of being safe and loved that I've always felt, has partly to do with that closeness. I have always thought of my grandma and grandpa as two people that are through on genuinely good people. (I was gonna say "that would never hurt a flie", but in fact I know no one who hunts down flies more fiercely than my grandmother.) They have brought so much kindness, love and warmth to us during our entire upbringing, and have contributed with tons of both knowledge and laughter.

Over the last few years, I have seen more and more who they are besides just our grandparents. My grandmother is a beautiful woman with the kindest eyes anyone could have. She has the softes skin I have ever felt, and not a single wrinkle on her face despite her age. She loves animals, especially cats. She has a great deal of patience, and always speaks her mind.

My grandfather shares my grandmother's amazing sense of humor. I have always thought that he has this very boyish air to him, he has that spark in the eye. He is protecting, and would always strap us extremely well up when we were going on a ride in his car when we were kids. He knows so much about so many things, and has taught me almost all I know about flowers and trees.

I feel incredibly lucky to have had my grandparents there for all of my life. The first time we met, I was only a couple of hours old. I love looking at those photographs from the hospital, the pride in their eyes as they are holding me for the first time always makes me smile.

There was a great moment today that just emphasizes the goodness and what my grandparents are all about. A little bird flew straight into the livingroom window as we were sitting in the room. For a while it was just lying there, slowly recovering as we were watching it. Finally it got up, ready to fly off. But it had some difficulties getting up high enough to fly away from the balcony outside. So my grandfather and I went outside to see what we could do to help it. My grandpa picked the little bird up in his big hands that I've held on to so many times as a kid, and gently lifted it up. He opend his hands up and let the little bird fly out on its own. I loved that.

I made sure to have a few pictures taken this afternoon as well, with just the three of us, outside on their balcony. And then we said our goodbyes. I gave my grandfather a hug, and then my grandmother. She told my how everything was going to work out just fine, and how I was going to grow so much on this experience. I nodded and looked her in the eyes and notice she was tearing up. As she was standing there looking at me, her eyes became all shiny and it just filled me with such sadness and at the same time love. As we were heading out the door I told her I'd send her a message once we've landed, and I could tell that it felt reassuring to her. She always has been concerned with our safety when we're out traveling. And she stood there outside the door in her cute pink shirt, waving at us as we drove off in the rain.

I can't wait to see them again when I come back home this fall. They mean the world to me and I love them both so much more than words can describe.