Grandma and Grandpa's Easter

Thanks to Aunt Terri, Grace knew all about Peter Cottontail as portrayed in her musical book, and she understood about dying eggs from the "Dry Hair" epidsode of Curious George. So, when we mentioned coloring Easter eggs while Grandma was finishing the ham and potatoes for lunch, Grace new exactly what to do. Except for one dropped on the floor and a few splashes as she plunked the eggs into the vinegar water, we ended up with a couple dozen beautiful eggs. All of Grace's eggs were solid colors, with purple as her favorite, but Adam and Grandpa pulled out the waxy crayons and rubber bands for original custom designs. Grandpa even made a special Bulgarian egg that had red, white, and green stripes to represent the Bulgarian flag.

When we were stuffed with ham, cheesy potatoes, green beans, strawberry layered jello, pie, and olives (Grace loves the black olives just like Mommy and ate at least 10....) the back yard was filled with goodies from the Easter Bunny. Grace, Adam, and Andy headed out for the traditional hunt while cameras clicked and Grandma Wharram watched from the patio chair. Adam and Andy were unusually civilized with no diving, tackling, or bag snatching (which have at one time or another been part of hunts with the three brothers). Grace thought the Little Kitty socks that were hung on the trees were silly, passed up most of the candy and put the eggs, juice boxes, and chocolate bunnies into her big Easter basket just like she had seen in her book at home. Joy filled her eyes when she saw the best gift of all, the rubber alphabet ball, on the patio. So we had to hold it for her just so she would finish hunting.

We really missed seeing Uncle Roger, Aunt Jill, Paige, and Mark, but it was still a wonderful Easter with my side of the family. Every year I wonder if it will be the last one with Grandma Wharram, who is 99, so seeing her sitting at the window watching Grace kick and throw the ball was priceless. She was really confused for much of the day, couldn't understand why I was sitting by another man (Adam) during dinner instead of next to my husband, and was worried that people were going to leave her alone, but she enjoyed watching "the little girl" so much and even held her on her lap. Grace reciprocated with absolutely no reservation, too. It was as if the oldest and youngest members of the family had know each other all along and loved each other instantly. Grandma enjoyed Grace's boundless energy and Grace marveled at Grandma's walker and wanted to help her. Perhaps with Grandma's dementia, she is also a 5 year old in many ways...