Julianna’s Dance Recital

Each year, we are asked if we want tickets for the recital. And we see my youngest son and his family so seldom that it is a great reason to drive about three and a half hours to the performance on a Saturday.

This year, I was picking up a grandson at the airport the day before. He was on a trip to Puerto Rico and returning the day before the recital. My husband stayed behind to save our house from the weather. We had 20 below without the windchill.

He said, “I can’t go as I don’t want to come back to a nightmare!” Meaning water leaks and broken pipes, etc.

He was right to stay home as the electricity went out during the night, and he awoke to 60 degrees in the house. After turning on 3 buddy heaters and starting the fireplace, the house warmed up nicely until the electricity came back on.

For three hours after he woke up, the electricity was off, and he was guessing at least three hours before he woke up, it had gone off.

So the grandson took Grandpa’s ticket to the recital, and we joined Julianna’s mother, father, and auntie. Her other Grandma had to work, so she was really excited to know that her cousin and I would be there.

The recital wasn't until 3:00 p.m., so Julianna and I went to visit a friend at her new art shop. Julianna painted a bluey. It turned out great, and good thing I didn't get a picture, as it wouldn't have done it justice. She is a little artist. She is hanging it in her room.

The recital was great. I love watching the littlest ones the best. They are so cute. Julianna is a character, and her performance always stands out. She did some entertaining earlier in the day. I suppose that was her practice in front of an audience, and I loved it.

Grandchildren are the very best!

They are better than all the rest.

Their parents were a pain as teens

Grandchildren, you don’t see those scenes

~

Julianna is quite the character

well-loved by both of her caretaker

She is an only child and loves visits

from cousins and family as she sits

and makes snowflakes, paints, and sends

out cards, plays with her two best friends

Her dogs fill that role, Remi and Arlo fit

that little girl perfectly. She is their favorite!

~

We play a game of Quix with her

and she most often wins, her mother

is the other winner, while her dad pouts

He is a bit competitive, and she shouts

to rub it in when he loses. It is so fun

to watch the family dynamics, she is a Hon

She loves her daddy and can boss him

He will do almost anything for them

Her parents work hard and are my pride and joy!

I am so very proud of our youngest boy!

~

After Julianna goes to bed, it is time for cribbage

and Tick, and adult conversation. Some baggage

just enough without overwhelm, you know, like

What are parents and siblings up to? How about the bike

Motorcycle is more like it, as we all have or had one.

Travel and jobs. Awards for my daughter-in-law and my son.

Then, a reasonable bedtime for their old guest

The traveler stayed up to play a game he likes best.

We left for home sometime after breakfast

Our family Thanksgiving and Christmas are this Saturday

I am looking forward to the family getting together that day.

~~~~

First published on Mercury Press on medium.com