OUR SECOND THANKSGIVING DINNER

Yesterday at 12:55 our enthusiasm increased

As we met Ava at her school for our second Thanksgiving feast.

And just as we did with Aden, this being a Thanksgiving encore

We followed the same procedure as we had the day before.

Ava was so excited, so delighted, so upbeat

She had a difficult time eating and staying in her seat.

The wonders of being a grandparent are positively ample

And let me take a moment now to give you some examples.

When Ava asked to eat her blueberry muffin first, her parents might have been distraught.

As grandparents Deborah and I looked at each other, smiled and said, “Why not!”

And here’s another illustration of my grandparental view

“When you’re done with that muffin, Ava,” I asked, “Do you want my brownie too?”

As parents we work hard at parenting, we teach sometimes we scoff

But the minute we become grandparents, it seems, all bets are off.

As a grandparent, if you’re lucky, you are seldom overtaxed

And the time spent with your grandchildren is more tranquil...more relaxed.

You see the world through more tender eyes, you’re wiser, more well-versed

And you’re not bothered if your granddaughter wants to eat her muffin first.

For you know it’s not about the food, that’s just a Thanksgiving myth

Thanksgiving is about the people you’re eating dinner with.

Then Ava saw her teacher wave and our Thanksgiving dinner was through 

It ended with a hug and a kiss, as all good dinners do.

“Is Ava a vegetarian now,” I asked, “Because she didn’t touch her meat.”

“No,” Deborah said rolling her eyes, “She filled up on that muffin you let her eat.”

I nodded and smiled heading out the door as all the parents dispersed

Realizing this second Thanksgiving dinner was as wonderful as the first.

Parents, as you teach your children, as you work hard...don’t dismay

For you too, if you’re lucky, will be grandparents someday.