'Grawdj' and other strange tales
My youngest (the newly minted geologist) has always puzzled me just a bit. In a fun way. Well, most of the time.
For example, when he was 18 months old he became a little obsessed with garages. All kinds.
I didn't even know he had the word in his vocabulary. He wasn't a big talker in those days, which wasn't too surprising, given that he had two older siblings with strong personalities who voiced strong, mostly opposing, opinions rather loudly.
But one day we were driving in downtown St. Paul, and from his car seat out shot a wee finger pointing to a multi-story parking ramp, and to accompany the gesture, a one-syllable utterance: grawdj.
I didn't quite believe my ears, because I was expecting to hear such words as "ball" or "doggie" or "passie." But soon enough we passed another parking ramp and the word popped out again.
Grawdj
Strange, I thought, but . . .
"Sean, for the love of God, will you please stop shooting spitwads at your little sister!" And, well, you know how that goes.
Soon we were back in our neighborhood and I turned into the alley to put the car in the . . .
Mom. Grawdj.
OK, so now I was convinced. Somehow, somewhere my baby had figured out that structures in which cars were parked -- be they crammed with bikes, gardening tools, and unpacked boxes from the last move or multilevel, color-coded ramps with stinky elevators -- were called garages.
And then, poof, the word just disappeared into that fuzzy blonde-haired head where all kinds of other mysterious and surprising things were brewing and would eventually emerge. Like fear at age 4 that the world might stop spinning and gravity would cease and all things would float away. Or worries about what the house was built of, and if it was wood, might termites eat it all away.
But at 18 months, my budding RockStar who was obsessed with garages was apparently also plotting The Great Escape.
Now I'm not saying it wasn't my fault, because back then (before I knew better) everything was my fault. But it was awfully hot that afternoon and I did open the front door so we could get some breeze moving through the screened porch, and I might have forgotten to hook the latch on the screen door.
Because there I was cooking dinner, just like a good mom and wife, when my nosy next-door neighbor, retired Fred, came inside and asked me if I knew that my toddler was walking down the block headed toward busy France Avenue.
WHAT!?!?
Shot through with enough adrenaline to lift a garage and two cars, I bolted out the door, terrified that I'd lost my little one forever. I flew down the street in the direction I thought he might have taken. Horrific scenarios played through my head as I rounded the corner of 54th street to see cars whipping by one block ahead at France Avenue.
And then it dawned on me.
I got to the corner of France and 54th and looked to my right.
Sure enough.
There, barefoot and standing in a droopy diaper, was my little RockStar with his nose and forehead pressed against the plate glass window of a Jiffy Lube Oil Change.
I ran up to him, threw my arms around the little urchin, unsure whether to scold him or shriek with relief.
He smiled at me with his big blue eyes, drool shining his perfect little chin. Then he pointed inside, and with unadulterated joy, he exclaimed:
Mom, grawdj!
.....................
Image 1 by heathbrandon
Image 2 by aur2899
Image 3 by emdot
Comments
Wonderful to hear about your camera and the joy it is bringing you. I understand, totally. One of the great joys of having a camera in your hand is the ability to see great beauty in the seemingly mundane.
Been there done that and still got the T-shirt, after raising 5 little urchins just like yours!!! now it is grandchildren who keep me smiling. ( and the odd panic!)
Love Granny
This is a wonderful story about your newly minted geologist.
Isn't it amazing how those stories stay in our hearts over the years?
and they make for good blackmail material...smile
But, whaaa? Post of the week? Where? When? I gotta get out of my trolling rut. Sorry I missed the kudos...but I think you are ALWAYS fab.
Granny: You give me hope! I had kids reasonably early and hoped to be a your grandmother. But no one's cooperating. So I'll have to bide my time (and try not to meddle!)
Moanie: Thanks for your comment! I can just imagine you racing up ahead! So glad you paid a visit. I'll be swinging by your blog, too!
Jinksy: Welcome! And thank you for the comment. Those words are hilarious! My eldest got so angry when we tried to convince him that the word for the item one uses to wipe one's face is a napkin not a nakune!
Jane: What a fascinating observation. I have such a poor sense of smell I would never have thought of that. He, on the other hand, has a keen sense of smell and amazing ear as well. One of those people with perfect pitch. Errr...I can't stay on key to save my life. Thanks so much for stopping by. I got way behind on my visits when went to Houston over Memorial Day so I know I've got some fascinating stories about Egypt to read! I'll be over soon. Put some tea on?
Jeni: Wow! What a fascinating comment. It's so reassuring to hear about varied obsessions. And I love what you said about eventually landing on one that is lasting. I'm just like you with the craft thing, only I'm a beader. I don't really have to go shopping. I forget half the supplies I have and when I go digging, I find plenty of surprises. But does that keep me out of bead stores?
Ellen: What fabulous talents, disassembler and finder. Sounds like the makings of a fascinating human being whose eyes and curiosity were wide open. And what does he do now? A bioengineer?
~enui~: Thank you so much for your comment! I am truly honored. It's nice to actually have stories to tell. I had the darnest time trying to tell stories to my kids at bedtime. BORING. They much preferred I just read to them!
Katherine: Boy, are you right about that! And nothing like fear to make a story stick but good! Oh, I've got even better ones for blackmail purposes. (Watch out, S, L, and E!!!) No kidding about retired Fred! That's something I've wondered about myself but didn't have the nerve to ask. We moved from that house, and I seriously doubt he's still alive. I don't know, bad knees maybe?
Rudee: Thanks! Those boys do have some "endearing" infatuations. I don't know what it is about the Baker Boys, but no meal can be had a without few competitive burping sessions and scatalogical conversation! Really, it's so gross!!!
Elizabeth: I LOVE it that your twins are animal lovers! And what early talkers. Geez, that's amazing. My soccer playing son's first word was "bah" (ball) and within a day of walking he was running!
Julie: Ah, sweetling! I have so many more stories for you. Some will probably never appear on the bloggerworld, though. Mostly, you'll be amazed he's still alive!
Grace: So glad you liked the story--and that you stopped by! I'm honored by your comment, as it comes from one very fine storyteller!
PurestGreen: Welcome! So happy you found your way here. And glad you found the story full of drama and laughs. Oh, the drama has always been fever-pitched in this household. (One reason why I go on a lot of personal retreats!) If we can get Mr. B going on his tales as a substitute teacher, the hilarity level goes off the charts! He has a blog (Are You Our Sub), too, but we can't get him to post regularly!
Cheffie-Mom: Welcome back!!! So glad David left breadcrumbs to my little blog on the prairie. I'm still waiting to hear if you have a chicken gumbo recipe that doesn't use tomatoes! My Mama B (paternal grandmother from Lufkin-way) took her yummy recipe to her grave. Thanks for your comment and congrats!
we can't turn our back for a second, can we? my wife usually has both eyes on Ollie, our 2 and a half year old grandson, but now that warmer weather is here we spend more time together in my workshop and garden.
less gets done (on my to-do list) but new words, songs and expressions keep popping out of his mouth - and I can't help but think this is a grand time to be alive.
cheers,
gord h.
PS--I resonded to your St. Francis query on my blog.
Gord: No we can't! That's only one of several times I came close to losing that boy. Some day I'll share the rest. Ollie sounds magnificent. Wish I could meet him! I'm so envious. I'd like a little grandchild myself!
Erin: Thank heavens I wasn't drinking something when I read your comment! Is it 3 boys you have? You deserve a special place in heaven, my dear. Some of my favorite people are moms of 3 boys! Thanks for your comment. I'll stop my shortly to check on St.Francis.