One Fortunate Grandmother

“Lucky you!” the elderly gentleman called out with a nod and a wave from the black, wrought iron bench in front of his apartment as I emerged from the elevator hand-in-hand with my grandchildren.

The eldest, attired in a scarlet, satin princess dress dotted with shimmering sequins, a bejeweled, golden crown, and matching glitter Mary Janes, clasped her baby doll loosely swaddled in a soft, lavender, flannel blanket. The youngest, sporting a black tee shirt emblazoned with the Batman logo, a flowing cape, and sensational, light-up sneakers that illuminated his steps, returned my neighbor’s gesture.

We’d lunched on crisp grilled cheese sandwiches, chilled watermelon wedges in the shape of sailboats, and sweet orange juice. The morning’s activities included playing pretend family with the four-story Grand Mansion doll house, gathering rocks and twigs on our adventure walk, building a stellar tower of colorful blocks, and cuddling on the couch with three picture books.

Lucky indeed!