As Grandma Says

AS GRANDMA SAYS

When children learn to voice their thoughts, words flow liberally as though a barrier has been removed from their tongue. All one has to do is listen intently and show genuine interest to hear “kids say the darndest things”, which Art Linkletter discovered over fifty years ago on a television program of the same name.

For an eight-year-old, my grandson has a vocabulary that many adults would envy. Seeing how his mind works and how he uses the English language cautions me not to interrupt when he talks, and perhaps because of that, he tells me many things.

One morning when Logan was over, I mentioned a new show I had watched called “Ugly Betty.”

“Ugly Betty?” He questioned, a puzzled look on his face.

“Well, she really wasn’t ugly,” I explained, “but because she wore braces on her teeth, some people thought she was. Which just goes to show, you can’t judge a book by its cover. Do you know what that means?”

“It means if I have a book with a dirty, ripped cover, there could still be a really good story in those pages.” He looked pleased with his answer.

“Well, yes,” I said, smiling at his interpretation. “That’s true. But it also means that even if some people might not like the way a person looks, it doesn’t mean that person isn’t nice. She could be really wonderful on the inside, even if she has braces or something else on the outside. See what I mean?”

Logan seemed to understand and our day together progressed with a flurry of biking, computer games, and his music lesson. Later we listened to a tape I had made of myself playing the piano. Logan was quiet for a moment, and then blurted, “Grandma, that was terrible!” At least he was honest!

Last year we were shopping, and I held a blouse up to me and asked Logan how it looked. He eyed it thoughtfully, shook his head and said, “I don’t know Grandma, but it looks awfully tight.” When we were ready to leave, I asked him to please hold the store door open for me, since I was laden with several bags, and he replied, “Sure Grandma, I don’t mind holding the door open for old people!”

A few weeks ago when we were on our way to visit my sister, Logan said, “Remember that time we were going down this street and you drove right past the house and had to turn around and come back?”

“Yes, “ I said. “Sometimes grandmas forget things because they’re thinking of other things.”

He piped up, “That’s because they have small heads!”

When he was about five years old, we were playing checkers and I teasingly told him I was going to win this time. Quick as a flash, he retorted, “Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched,” and when I fumbled my turn, he added, “You missed your opportunity. I’m going to get you, and your little dog Toto, too!” When the game ended he said, “Not bad for a little lady!” Yes, and even if this little lady has a small head!

Now we were discussing Thanksgiving, which was fast approaching. I recalled last year asking him what he was thankful for, and he said, “My grandma.” I told him I was thankful for all my family, and he said, “And don’t forget your nice grandson!” This year I asked him if there was anything special he wanted me to make for Thanksgiving dinner. He approved the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and specifically requested devilled eggs. We never have a big family dinner without devilled eggs.

“How about cabbage rolls?” I asked.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had cabbage rolls,” Logan said. “What are they?”

“It’s rice and hamburger rolled up in a cabbage leaf. They’re baked in the oven with tomato sauce on top. Some people like them and others don’t, maybe because they look a little funny.”

Without hesitation, Logan replied emphatically, “I wouldn’t judge a cabbage roll just by how it looks. I would taste it first and see if I liked it, even if didn’t look that good!”

Lesson learned.

Later that evening when I spoke on the phone to his mother, she asked me about a phrase I apparently used a lot. “Something about winning and losing,” she prompted.

“Oh, probably ‘You win some, you lose some,’ “ I answered. “Why?”

“Well, Logan always uses it, and then he ends it with,“ … As grandma says.”

I chuckled, thinking how funny it was that he repeated my expressions.

“He’s always coming out with your sayings,” my daughter-in-law continued.

I thought of some of the ones I often use:
Practice makes perfect.
You snooze, you lose.
Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched.
And the latest: you can’t judge a book by its cover.

It is gratifying to know that Logan understands the meaning of these old sayings. Years from now, when he is a grown man, I hope he uses them with his own children, and ends with, “…As my grandma used to say.”

Maria Harden
(c) 2006

Story ID:	996
Written by:	Maria Harden (bio, contact, other stories)
Story type:	Musings, Essays and Such
Location:	Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
Year:	2006
Person:	Logan