Grandma's Secrets

When I was a teen and my Grandmother came to visit us, she used to like to slip me a folded up five or ten dollar bill and say "Don't tell your mother." Of course I wouldn't tell-- I wanted to keep the little present to myself, and in those days, most money had to go to the communal family "pot" or else the pot got tossed out on its ass from lack of bill payment. I always have looked forward to doing this one day to my own grandchildren, sort of undermining my children's parenting in a way that grandparents can get away with. The things you would never let your own children get away with you let your grandkids get away with.

The other day my Grandma called me and asked me if I wanted a present she wanted to send my way. I am not one to turn down presents (never seen a gift horse's mouth). But also, since my Grandma is 97 years old and the presents are for the babies, I am happy because they'll have something from their great-grandma, even if she's not around when they're old enough to know her. (Which is fairly likely, given that at 97, she's finally starting to get a little on the crazy side). After talking to Grandma for a few minutes about the little blankets she wanted to send for the twins, she said she was going to order them. "But don't tell your mother" she said.

God I love that woman. And one day, can't wait to utter those naughty words to little grandkids of my own.