A promise is a promise and when sweet little Oliver dropped by the Hunger Response International office the other day with his beautiful mommy and darling sister, Charley Beth, I was delighted to see them, but didn't have much in the way of treats. And after all, how much fun can an office be to a 4 yr. old!
Now they had to pass by a Tim Horton Restaurant to get to the office and the thought of timbits wouldn't leave Oliver's mind. He shared his plan for a timbit stop with his mommy and me...knowing it was getting close to dinner time, I made Ollie a deal that if he ate his dinner when he got home, I'd bring him some Timbits. He made sure I knew that they were to come in the little box with the donuts pictured on the outside of it.
Sure enough, on my way home I stopped and picked up the box of treasured treats. I called ahead to make sure that dinner was being consumed before I brought dessert. Ollie answered the phone and our typical conversation began... I asked him how he was doing and if he knew who was calling...(he always knows it's me) and he says, "Yes, it's Grandma Up-the-hill" and I usually say, "Yes!! it's Grandma Lorri!"
You see, I've never really liked Grandma-up-the hill for a name. I much perfer just good ole Grandma or Grammie...but Grandma-up-the hill??? really....Davie, this is all your fault! Now I have to retrain the little darling before he spreads that name to Charley Beth...then Jack and Liam and who knows where it'll end!!
Anyway, Oliver answered my question, 'Do you know who this is', with "Yes, it's Grandma U ..up.....I mean Grandma Lorri!"
I must admit, I was at once overjoyed that he called me Grandma Lorri and at the same time surprised by the saddness that came with the realization that Grandma-up-the-hill was departing from his vocabulary. I am still not sure how I feel about it, but 'saddened' is certainly part of it. Our little boy is growing up.
He was delighted to enjoy the timbits and yes, he shared them with mommy and offered some to me, but he told me in a very grown up way that Charley Beth was still just a little baby and so she couldn't have any yet.
It never ceases to amaze me how a 15 minute visit can calm a week's worth of hecticness and exchange it with a feeling that yes, all is right with the world...after all, Ollie was enjoying the momentary sweet side of life and in his own way, sharing some sugar filled love. Thanks Ollie...you made my day!
Remember 1995? 
