Just a couple of Kids
For through the lens challenge
Almost three months after turning 60, my wife and I received an amazing gift in the birth of our first grandchild, Campbell. Life in one of its enduring ironies determined that he would come into the world the day following the memorial service for my wife's brother, Ken.
We received the call that our daughter-in-law was in labor in Mount Sinai Beth Israel early the following morning in Manhattan, New York, while staying in a hotel upstate following the service.
Since we were only a couple hours from Manhattan, we made the drive to the hospital and enjoyed the good fortune of arriving in time for the birth. When the nurse led us into their hospital room to see him, the tears flowed pretty freely.
"First time grandparents?" she quipped.
I'm of the opinion, fairly common among grandparents, that the job in relation to our grandchildren is the easiest and best in the world. And happily, Campbell is a frequent visitor to our home.
Grandma Mary fed him his first solid food. He laughed for the first time in grandpa's arms. And he said grandpa before he learned to say grandma. Ha!
When he was little and grandpa was working, Grandma Mary would chase him in circles around the furniture both of them laughing or he would sit in her lap and look at pictures with her or they would read The Hungry Caterpillar together (which he memorized).
But he is a boy who likes to roughhouse, jump on the trampoline, swim and splash and tussle in the pool and hunt bears in the woods. And those are all grandpa activities.
Wait ... what?
Let me explain. My wife collects stuffed bears. A lot of stuffed bears. But one in particular always drew Campbell's attention because it is so huge.
Of course, given the inquisitive nature of small children this generated many questions.
"Is that a real bear."
"No."
"Are you sure?"
"Very."
"Cause it looks real."
"It's totally not."
This led Campbell to something of an obsession with bears early on. There is a small park in our neighborhood that we have often visited together that overlooks a several acre wooded gully with a creek running through it.
When he tired of the slides and the swings, we would walk up a trail into the tree line above the gully, but he would soon want to turn around and return to the safety of the park.
"I'm sceered of the bears," he would explain.
"There are no bears in these woods," I would counter.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
But he would remain unconvinced, and we would return to the park.
About three years ago on one of our walks to the park, he picked up a stick and suddenly he was ready to take the walk down into that gully that had always sceered him before.
"You'll be safe with me, Grandpa. I have a stick. If a bear comes, he'll be sorry." It's a lot funnier if you imagine a little's boy's voice saying this.
On his next visit, he graduated from protecting me to hunting the aforementioned bears with the aforementioned stick.
Walking in that gully, crossing rotting timbers from one side of the creek to the other, getting tangled in thorny wait-a-bits, crossing large piles of stone, getting our feet wet, falling in the creek bed and returning home slathered in mud are all part of the deal. Except that last bit. So far, he is the only one misjudging his foot falls and climbing slippery banks that cannot easily be climbed.
And yet, I am the dumb ass 68-year-old risking my limbs following that little rascal on his bear hunting hijinks. Every time I clamber across those ridiculous rocks, I imagine breaking an ankle or a wrist.
There's no fool like an old fool as they say.
But love makes this old man do funny things when I know it will put a smile on my grandson's face. Which brings my meandering reminiscence back to the first photograph.
I suppose that each person viewing this photo might see something different. But likely most won't see a generation gap. Hopefully you will see instead an old kid hanging with a younger kid and operating on his level. Sharing his sense of fun. Engaging fully in his world.
I see what I know to be true: two people who enjoy one another's company, who love to play, be silly, make up ridiculous stories, and laugh. The only person in the world who has a heartier and more infectious laugh than our grandson, is Grandma Mary.
And that, my friends, means all the world to me.
About the Creator
John Cox
Twisted teller of mind bending tales. I never met a myth I didn't love or a subject that I couldn't twist out of joint. I have a little something for almost everyone here. Cept AI. Aint got none of that.
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Comments (23)
Such a heartwarming story 🙏
Congratulations on placing with this awesome piece, John! Very well deserved!
Back for the best of reasons!!! 🤩 Congratulations, John!!! So glad this was recognized!
I have no idea how I missed this! A worthy placement. It was great to see your face without alteration and I see two kids together for sure. A really warm read!
A great story, and congratulations on the win!!
Wooohooooo congratulations on your win! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
Ahh, what a lovely story about getting to know your grandson. And yes, I am sure grandfathers can be best childhood friends with their grandchildren (I have yet to find out). Congratulations on a deserved win and I am so pleased to see your name on the winners' podium. Really well done.
First off congratulations John. This makes me anxious and excited to become a grandfather. How your life became enriched and youthful again You were so open with this piece I felt like I was part of your life and family Cheers
Congratulations, John!!
Well, hot diggidy pop! So glad to see some more justice for you, sir, friend, cohort! Congrats, John, on a beautiful piece and awesome picture securing you a runner up spot!
I have a couple comments after reading this heart-warming story... <<Life in one of its enduring ironies determined that he would come into the world the day following the memorial service for my wife's brother, Ken.>> I'm weird. I think Jung was on to something when he elaborated on synchronicity. I think coincidences are anything but random. More like 'small, unexplainable miracles'. When you start viewing them that way, it feels like the very Universe supports you.... and everyone else. Interconnectivity. <<I am the dumb ass 68-year-old risking my limbs following that little rascal on his bear hunting hijinks. Every time I clamber across those ridiculous rocks, I imagine breaking an ankle or a wrist.>> I'd describe that as 'brave', maybe even 'undaunted'-- definitely not 'dumb'. And I'd guess your grandson sees it that way too. No one is ever too old for hijinks! ⚡ Overall, I'm soooo envious, Sir. I'm 63. I've never been married. I have no kids or grandkids, or really any family left at all. A picture like the one here would be one I'd cherish forever. Many Blessings to You & Yours. ⚡💙⚡
What a sweet look into your life, John! Don’t be sceered, you are protected!! And Grandpa was the first word, HA! Is right. Loved this fabulous entry for the challenge!!!🫶🏻🤗
Delightful photos to match the heartwarming tale 💙👍🏼. Especially like: “ getting tangled in thorny wait-a-bits, crossing large piles of stone, getting our feet wet, falling in the creek bed and returning home slathered in mud are all part of the deal. Except that last bit. So far, he is the only one misjudging his foot falls and climbing slippery banks that cannot easily be climbed.” Mud’s great for the complexion… try it next time 🤣.
This is such a wonderful piece, John! That's exactly what I see when I look at the picture, two fun loving buddies clearly having a good time together! Thanks for sharing tender and joyful insight into your family!
What a wonderful, heartfelt, down to earth story. Love flowed in every word you wrote as you described Campbell's escapades. How fortunate for you and your wife to be able to enjoy grandkids, but even more so, how fortunate for your grandchildren to have such doting, wonderful grandparents. I am of the opinion grandparents are God's special gifts.
A well-wrought reminiscence, John! Makes me miss my mom and dad even more, which I wouldn't have thought possible, but I hold grief close, and thank you for reminding me how special they were and how fortunate I was to have them at all. I'm glad you and your grandson get this time. I hope he has it for many more years to come!
I hope I get grandkids someday! A life with grandchildren is surely a life well lived and well loved! 😍
This is so heartwarming. And you're right. I don't see the generation gap, just two kids enjoying each other's company.
Omgggg, now I wanna go bear hunting with you guys! I hope Campbell has an extra bear hunting stick for me hehehehe
You cannot convince me that there is a love greater than that of a grandparent I grew up with my father, and never could have imagined him lovingly playing with anyone else but me. But when he became a grandpa, the “grand”. became his superpower. My kids adored him and I watched as the number of his years decreased each time he was with them. This is beautiful, John
Such a happy story told in a heartfelt and whimsical manner! And my God, man! You don't look a day over 50.
What a delightful and heartwarming read! Your bond with Campbell is pure magic, filled with laughter, adventures, and bear-hunting bravery. That last line about Grandma Mary’s laugh tying it all together? Perfection. Thanks for letting us in on these beautiful memories—you’ve captured the essence of family so wonderfully!
Boy, I'm right with you on this. I've been blessed with three. In the picture, I see two persons hardwired to each other. It's called love. And you get it.