As we went through the store, people were telling her how beautiful she was. She looked at them and politely responded with “Thank you!” She greeted people she didn’t know, was polite to everyone, and asked me to sing Christmas carols for her. I watched her smile as I sang, “Said the night wind to the little lamb…do you hear what I hear? Way up in the sky little lamb…do you hear what I hear?” It didn’t matter if I sang off key, missed words, or that people might think I was a bit weird. I only sang for my audience of one and the love I saw in her eyes.

Coming across a display of candy, she asked for a bag of Hershey’s Kisses. When told she had some at home, there was no scene, just a smile and gentle “Oh, that’s right.” My daughter Lori found a bag of Katie’s favorite candy – gumdrops (only in red and green and wreath shaped). She handed the bag to me and I held it up for Katie to see. Katie’s face lit up as her smile spread from ear to ear, then she reached to give me a hug as she said, “Thank you. Thank you for finding my favorite candy.” Of course, this lady like display brought smiles and comments about how polite she was from those nearby. Being the proud grandmother that I was, and enjoying the moment, I didn’t say a word about her being a normal three year old who usually tries challenging us with her attempts at independence.

I enjoyed the rest of our trip through the market, the continued politeness through the check out, and the comments or smiles that followed us back outside. At the car her mother was about to help Katie into the car seat, but Katie quietly told her mother, “I need to talk to Grandma first.” Having said that, she reached for the front of my coat and pulled me down so my face was near hers. Looking very serious she quietly said, “Grandma…. my feet are killing me. I need a break.” Keeping my laughter to a minimum, I told her we would get her home and out of the new shoes, which evidently needed to be broken in a bit more. Sore feet and still smiling. What a trooper.

Susan Stevens
Copyright December 26, 2004