One of my favorite rituals between my two year old grandson Thomas and me starts when he rings the doorbell at our front door and My Beloved answers it. Thomas runs in yelling “Papa! “Papa!” (that’s what he calls me) then sprints down the hall to find me in my office at my desk. I turn enthusiastically, act surprised, scoop him up in my arms and give a big bear hug to him as I yell, “It’s Thomas!”
Occasionally, as occurred tonight, he is too fast for me to be in my office when he arrives. I had just gotten out of the shower and was only partially clothed as I heard him run down the hall yelling “Papa! Papa!”
I yelled through the door, “Hi, Thomas! Hello, my friend! I’m in the bathroom and will be out in a few minutes.”
As I scrambled to finish dressing, I sensed tiny fingers wiggling under the bathroom door. I crept to it, gently pushed my fingers beneath it, and wiggled mine without saying a word. Instantly my fingers were covered by his tiny hands, his fingers strongly gripping mine. He burst out laughing with a voice so sweet it captures my heart every time I hear it. I laughed with him, a graying man delighted once again by our childish antics.
Thomas is so young he may not remember any of this, but it will remain forever a wonderful warm memory in my heart.
It is said that good things come in small packages, and it’s the little things in life that often make all the difference. All I know is when that little guy and my tiny grandtwins Zachary and Alexander are around, I see magic and miracles everywhere. When the spell is strong enough, I’m transformed into a young child again, if only for a while.
Russ Towne's A Grateful Man 
Wonderful wonderful you have moved me to tears. My grandchild is but a few weeks old so I have all this joy to come. Thank you , bless you for sharing xxx
Your comment touched me deeply, Willow. When I hear something I wrote moves someone to tears–whether joyous or healing ones–I feel deeply honored. Thank you for taking the time to give this beautiful gift to me.
Russ
I love the visual (not you in the shower Russ – the little fingers under the door, the bear hugs, etc – but you knew that didn’t you? 😉 )….And they do remember. My sons have memories of my dad that date back to their toddlerhood…
LOL! Thank you, Mimi. There are so many things I’d love for him to remember, but I’m grateful that at least I’ll have the memories and can tell him the stories. My blogs and books are partly a way to chronicle such times. Thankfully, we don’t have a history of Alzheimer’s disease in our families. I don’t fear most diseases, or even death, but I’d hate to lose such memories or be unable to recognize those I love. To me, that would be a tragedy of an almost unimaginable scale.
Russ
Russ this is so beautiful and so familiar to me. Thank you for capturing this feeling of joy and sharing it with us. 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to me know this post resonated for you, Chatter Master.
Russ
i love this and understand the feeling completely.
As I typed this post, I hoped it would bring up similar memories and feelings for others. I’m glad it did for you, ksbeth.
Russ
Such love and joy in grandparent hood – when we are old and honed enough to truly appreciate the magic! Thank you Russ for sharing this moment with us. Val x
Thank you, Val. I’m glad that I am young and healthy enough to enjoy the magic while being old and honed enough to appreciate it.
Russ
I love your spirit of play with Thomas. It’s amazing that the few little moments we spend with a child can make a world of difference to them. I am sure that even if he does not remember that particular moment, he will always have a fondness for his Papa!
Thank you for your smile-inducing comment, Mrs. P. Those moments I spend with my grandchildren are making a world of difference to *me!* ;-D!
Russ
That is beautiful and it makes such wonderful memories. I think he will always remember running in to find his Papa and having a great time with you!
That would be wonderful indeed! Thank you for your kind comment, Ute.
Russ
Oh my how beautiful was this
I’m glad you like it, Joanne. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Russ
Russ–This is so heartwarming. Wonderful. Grandparenthood seemed very far off, but our daughter just got married in March, so maybe, in the not-too-distant future . . .
Thank you, John. May the many joys of grandparenting be yours.
Russ
Lovely! Your grandson may not remember in his conscious mind, but part of him will remember — the very heart of him. Cheers!
Thank you, jbw0123. That’s a great place to be remembered!
Russ
There is I don’t believe anything that can give you a smile and warm your heart as those little things done by/with a child.. how blessed you are.. Diane
Thank you, Diane. Small children touch places in my heart that appear to be reserved solely for them so I never stop appreciating the gifts I receive from them.
Russ
Thomas may or may not remember this, but the way you make him feel so loved and treasured will remain with him for eternity. And he can come here and read all about his adventures with Papa in the future (that’s after he’s memorized all of Clyde’s escapades in your books!) Giggle Giggle…