Simple things

My great nephew Jordan who lives next door is the happiest kid I know. The only time he isn't smiling is when he's studying or when he doesn't feel well. Otherwise, he's smiling. 

I'd been cutting grass, and trimming a dead limb from the apple tree just prior to his visit yesterday afternoon. Sitting in the shade of the backyard, I was letting a breeze out of the northwest cool me down. I heard him giggling before he crawled through the doggie door to

join me. He was holding one of Jilda's world famous homemade popsicles. 

Once outside, he had to have the scoop as to what I'd been up to. Experience has taught me that I can't give him the short answer because he wants verifiable details.  If I tell him I did something, he'll go check and give me feedback. And if I was blowing smoke up his britches leg, he calls me on it.

But, I gave him the lowdown on what I'd done that afternoon. I'd taken off my sunhat and laid it on the bench beside me while I cooled down.  He settled on the bench beside me and picked up the hat with one fluid motion. 

He asked if I'd like one of the popsicles. It looked really good so I told him that I'd love one. He sprang off the bench and went into the house to fetch me one. When he came back, his mom and Jilda were with him.

We all sat there and talked for a long while. When the conversation lagged, Jordan posed for a picture. 

I love these simple times. With the world going crazy, it's easy to get drawn into the drama. Twenty years from now, the drama will still be here, but the actors will have changed. But I'll hold on to these simple moments for as long as I live. In the vastness of time, the love of family, friends, and a smiling child are the only things that truly matter.