Our Angel in Blue Berry Stains

     The blessings of living in paradise exclude having our grandkids close.  So it is a very special occasion when they come to visit, and even more so when they stay for awhile.
      Our eldest granddaughter, Mattie Kate, at the age of four established a summer ritual of one week with Grandma and Grandpa.  Normal life halts for seven days, and our schedule is dictated by our tiny, creative but slightly demanding recreation coordinator.
      From breakfast to bedtime, she has it all planned.  Well, almost.  The blueberry pancakes were the only exception.  My job was to make the pancakes.  Mattie's job was to pick the blueberries.
      She marched outdoors with a bucket and great enthusiasm.  She returned a short while later, blueberry stains everywhere on her hands and clothing.
      "I'm done, Gwan'ma."
      "OK, put your bucket up here."
      The bucket is empty.
      "Where are the berries for our pancakes?"
      "They're all gone."  Burp.
       "All of them?"
       "Yup."   Burp.
       "But there aren't any in your bucket."
        "Nope."   Burp.
         "You ate ALL the blueberries?"
        She nods her head 'yes', grins big and burps one last time.
        Good thing that our little recreation coordinator likes raspberries on her pancakes, too.
        At Grandma and Grandpa's house, our Mattie learned to call in the deer.  She makes a baby deer type noise that truly brings the does running.  I worry just what else is coming.
        At Grandma and Grandpa's house, Mattie learned to drive a fork lift.  We haven't shared that with mom and dad, yet.
        At Grandma and Grandpa's house, little Mattie has ice cream every night with her dinner.  Another secret that mom and dad don't really need to know.
        During a thunderstorm one evening, all three of us sat out on the porch swing on our front deck and watched the thunder and lightning.  We explained to her that thunder is just God talking to us out loud, and some days He has a lot to tell us.
        Mattie sat sandwiched between us and thought about it.  After awhile, she turned her head and buried her face in my shoulder.  She yawned and then said, "OK, God.  I'm tired now."
        We love our visits with our little granddaughter.  And we planted two more blueberry bushes so Miss Mattie Kate does not run out of berries this time.  We have just enough time to set up the trampoline, inflate the swimming pool and wipe down the patio table and chairs.  We want everything to her liking.  After all, it's tough business coordinating the family activities for an entire week.
       And, we've have a full year to recover.