Granddaddy's Magic Guitar

Think back when you were little.  What kind of child were you?  No, I don't mean were you smart or sweet...shy or chatty.  I'm talking about what really matters....when the day is done there are really only two types of children:  those who love to  sleep and those who don't!

Chuck and I were blessed with one of each.  Amy our youngest saw sleep as something to look forward to.  No bedtime battles with Amy...she was snoring like a buzzsaw most nights before 9 pm.   

Laurie, on the other hand, was feeling fresh as a daisy at bedtime!   Sleep was something to avoid at all costs.  She needed to read one more book, drink one more glass of water, or give one more bedtime kiss...popping out of bed like a jumping bean...grinning from ear to ear!

So, as fate would have it, our children each had sweet, precious children...exactly like themselves...

We (aka Nana and Granddaddy) had all three grandchildren for a summer visit before school started.  Laurie's girls are Vivian (7) and Maggie (3 ).  Amy's son Wesley is 10.  We kept them as busy as possible painting, splashing in the kiddie pool, reading books, making flower bouquets, playing hide and seek in our old house and eating all sorts of snacks that Laurie sent with them so they wouldn't starve!   

Our mission each day was to have so much fun that we would wear them out before they wore us out!  It is very important to Nana and Granddaddy to keep everybody happy.  The last thing you want at bedtime is a house full of sad, crying, homesick grandchildren!

Wesley was easy.  He loves to read at night.  He would yawn and say, "I'm tired and want to go to bed."  We tucked him in bed with a kiss and hug and he read till he fell asleep.  What a good boy!

But as Wesley slept, the night for Vivian and Maggie had just begun!  They needed to read one more book or eat one more snack or run one more lap through the house!  Then...one night... they discovered Granddaddy's magic guitar and bedtime was suddenly transformed!

Now bedtime wasn't about sleep...it was just time to get in the bed and listen to Granddaddy play his guitar and sing.  Our two night owls snuggled under the covers as Granddaddy sat down by the foot of the bed with his guitar and his songbook.  No talk of sleep...only the soft strum of the strings as Granddaddy sang old, familiar choruses like "Do Lord" and "Deep and Wide."  Vivian and Maggie and I quietly sang along. 

Peter,Paul and Mary tunes, hobo songs from the 30's, hymns and nursery rhymes...hypnotic words.  Only the sound of the magic guitar and Granddaddy's sweet voice lulling us all like waves against the shore...sweeping us off to dreamland...wrapped in a blanket of love.

Comments

[Kim C.]

So, Chuck's (AKA "Granddaddy") has been holding out on us!:) Know any Peter, Paul & Mary?

Blessings,
Kim

[Debbie Warnock]

Chuck may not be ready for a tour bus, but his "groupies", Vivian, Maggie and Nana catch every show! Nice to hear from you, Kim!

[Lori Slayton]

Yes, a secret well kept. But did you know the story about the church ghost? When I first joined the staff here at the church, I would sometimes hear piano music playing -when our Music Pastor was NOT here. I'd wonder where the music was coming from, and go look in the sanctuary, no one! Well, it must be from the fellowship hall, and I would walk down there, no one?! This happened a couple of times and I was beginning to think there was a piano-playing angel here to serenade me in the quiet times, but it was curious. One day while I was searching for a glimpse of the 'ghost' I caught Chuck getting up from the piano! He came back to his office the back way, so I had been missing him each time going the other way. Next time I heard the music I didn't go looking, I just figured it was my Pastor, the piano ghost!

I'm glad I know about the guitar, so I won't have to search for the guitar ghost!

[Debbie Warnock]

Lori, that's really a funny story! You were probably disappointed to find out it wasn't an angel dropping by to play you a tune! Chuck has all sorts of musical talents. Maybe if we could start up another Ukulele Band he could share them with the world (or at least Chatham)!