The Light

I didn't know that not all grandmas do hair or paint pink fingernails and toes.
I didn't know that not all grandmas camp out on the floor, or share their bed with four grandkids all piled up, all at once.
Not all grandmas walk hills, picking ramps, picking blackberries.


I didn't know that not all grandmas give a $3 spending limit on a choice toy and a talk on the connection between breaking it and buying it in the Hills department store parking lot.
Not all grandmas make a big deal out of holidays; ceramic Easter baskets, egg hunts, Christmas lights, and chirping ornaments.
Not all grandmas like to play Nintendo.


But, mine did.


Two more things they did, they invested, and they lit up when I walked into the room.


They invested
Time
Patience
Teaching
Faith
Fun


Their investments weren't always perfect. They were and are flawed, broken people just like the rest of us, but I didn't notice.


I didn't care.


Because my presence made them light up.


That's what I noticed.
It washed everything else away.


Not underfoot
Not a burden
Not an inconvenience
Not simply tolerated


They lit up, and I knew that they loved me.


They stopped, and they taught me a million little lessons about my value.


Their investment became my identity.


We are all different, different approaches, different interests.


We are all flawed, broken women with an imperfect investment.


But, do we light up when the ones we love the most walk into the room? Do we stop? Do we pour into
their lives?


They won't notice the flaws.
​
​(c) 2017 Victoria Paxton


They'll notice the light.