Who Really Gives A Rip What the Neighbors Think

Last week while babysitting my grandson, we took a few morning walks along the stepping stones leading from the patio steps to the top of the driveway.

These little walks began when we were out one morning letting Peanut do her thing.  While waiting he got the idea to take a walk down the path. 

Normally I wouldn't be traipsing down the path in my bathrobe for fear the neighbors would really wonder about me.

However, when the one and only grandchild invites you to walk the path with him the bathrobe, bedhead and lack of make-up suddenly becomes very insignificant.

While walking from one end to the other and back again...

and again...

and yet again, I learned a few things.

1.  Planting sweet smelling dianthus along a garden path is a smart move especially in the springtime when pleasant scents greet your nose with every step.

2.  Few things are nicer than one on one time with a curious toddler.  He's happy to have an adult with time to answer his many questions and I'm happy to be able to share the knowledge I have gained through my many years on this planet :).  I know it won't be too many years before he'll be bored with my knowledge ;).

3.  Traipsing along your garden path in bed clothes can be quite exhilarating to someone who probably spends too much time worrying about what the neighbors think.

Brett often tells me I spend too much time worrying about that.

I suppose he's right.

On the morning Peanut decided to bolt out of the backyard and head for the street first thing in the morning I had to act quick.

So, I mean to tell you, it was a liberating experience to run across the front yard in bathrobe and bare feet chasing after the little runaway.

Little Jaxson was standing in the doorway watching the entire time.

Sprinting across the front yard clutching a damp doggy with a disheveled bathrobe and grass clippings stuck to my feet, I hear a small voice calling "Be careful grandma.  Don't hurt yourself."

And in that moment I knew that the safety of an aging doggy (and an aging grandma) were what really mattered in the eyes of a three year old.  Who really cares what the neighbors might think.

4.  Never underestimate the lessons to be learned from children.