I don’t often share ‘reader email’ after one of my columns hits the street because comments are usually short and sweet.
“Brilliant.”
“Nebulous.”
“You get paid?”
Today I share three of a kind in response to my most recent column entitled ‘My grandchildren know how to turn weekends upside down’, and then a fourth, separately, that breaks the mold because of its unexpected nature and departure from the tone of the piece.
I provide the column’s opening three sentences in order to set the aforementioned tone:
Because regular readers deserve to know certain things about me (even irregular readers, though irregularly), I’m going to begin this week’s column with an admission and a related, follow-up question.
I admit, I submitted no column last week because my grandchildren, on frequent occasions, rule the world.
And, when do parents of twins, triplets, quads, quints, etc., ever find time to go to the bathroom, let alone make a sandwich?
[Please click here to read the rest, as published in The Londoner]
Email 1 -
Subject: Grandchildren
Date: January 19, 2012 11:30:35 AM GMT-05:00
Really enjoyed your article on grandchildrens visit can relate totally with your story. The only difference between your story and my experience is that my wife and I usually snooze the day away after they leave.
Dick/Mary K.
Reply -
Hi Dick and Mary,
Thank you for your email concerning my recent column. Though we didn't snooze (such a great idea!) the day after our son and family left, my wife and I commented several times about how quiet the house was. Lovely.
Gord H.
@ The Londoner
Email 2 -
From: nanasmith
Subject: Article in Londoner
Date: January 19, 2012 2:14:29 PM GMT-05:00
Hi Gord and Pat enjoyed your story about the grandchildren, I can remember your guys as little ones at Wortley. We have 12 grandchildren and spent a lot of time with them when they were little, now the oldest is 26 and down to 15 yrs old. You are great parents and now grandparents, and it is all worth the upset as they visit. Best wishes to you and yours in the new year, blessings. Marilou and Wayne S.
Reply -
Hi Marilou and Wayne,
Thank you for your email concerning my recent column.
Twelve grandchildren!! Such great news. ('nanasmith' is such an appropriate email tag.) However, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't survive a full reunion if we had 12 rather than the four. Because of the writing and other isolated pursuits (e.g., building birdhouses in a small workshop), I am growing very used to peace, quiet, and an easy pace for most of the day. Fortunately, the noisiness is for short intervals and the kids are so genuinely happy that - as you say - the visits are well worth it.
Please keep well,
Gord H.
Email 3 -
Subject: Grandchildren article
Date: January 19, 2012 3:13:36 PM GMT-05:00
I just read your grandchildren article and can sympathize. It was a great article and as usual I can identify.
Our three grandchildren, who are eight years old and younger, and their parents came from Australia and stayed with us. As you can imagine, they don't come for a weekend. They were at our house for almost six weeks.
Think about that...your busy weekend lasting 6 weeks.
I am also a retired school teacher and I love children. They left a week ago and I am still recovering but I can hardly wait until they come again. Janice
Reply -
Hi Janice,
Thank you for your interesting email.
Six weeks!! I don't want to think about it.
I must hang my head in shame, my son and family were only here for four days and I was almost kaput. However, it wasn't too many years ago that my wife and I agreed to invite our younger son and his wife to stay with us while they looked for a house in London, and their long visit worked out really well. They now live two blocks away and we babysit their five-year old. I guess I do better with smaller crowds.
That being said, here's to the next visit!
Gord H.
Now, think about 12 grandkids staying for 6 weeks!
Stay tuned for the unusual change of tone.
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