In my 7th decade, I have developed some seemingly strange things I do, but they are not without purpose. While I know I have been able to meaningfully connect with hundreds of little ones over the years with my patented “Upside down hug.” (Let me explain; One of my kids at the gym or in the family would run full blast at me and I would grab them, turn them upside down and shake the lunch out of them all while telling them that what I Loved about them was……EVERYTHING).
Time and the kids getting considerably bigger have tempered that little quirk, but some 25 years later, I meet these grown-ups who still remember that ole Grandpa Neil Loves and have affirmed me.
Silly, I think not. Yes, the method may not pass some people's idea of propriety, but it wasn’t them it was aimed at - I connected.
This past Sunday I was having lunch with my daughter and her husband along with their grand daughter and Great grand daughter. I don’t get to see little Mia (picture on the right) often so she gets to be shy, at least for a while. I caught her playing near by and I ask her; Mia do you know what I Looooove about you. She stopped and looked at me and I said EVERYTHING! She giggled and began to come around me more as the afternoon went on.
My point is that meaningful connection has and always will work. I think if you find your own way to connect you will find that it serves both the connector and the connected, especially when your target is an unencumbered little free spirit of Joy.
Thank You for being a Caring Grandparent.