Routines with grandma

     Visiting a 92 year old woman is a respite from the busy noisy responsibility of city life. At grandma's house, every activity is an event on its own. From having a conversation to grocery shopping, a break is necessary on the way or in between and there is always a nap. I find myself following her routine like a disciple, hungrily awaiting the next lesson of life's simplicity. Where life is full of ice cream and reading books, I really cannot complain and am throughly enjoying myself. I am currently reading 4 books at the same time :)
     I have recently been looking into working in the field of wilderness therapy, the act of isolating oneself to bring out true emotions and work through situations that one needs to build perspective on. Being here has done the same: clarified thoughts, given me time to think and cry, to breathe, to remember how to relax, to make decisions and consider options for my future. The wilderness of grandma's house.
     We laugh and talk and I tell her about the internet, while she tells me about "fast" girls in her generation. She is fascinated by certain aspects of my life, while I wish she were more interested in others, and we play cards. Games always bring out a different aspect of a person that is delightful to experience. Teasing, name calling and self depreciation ensues. It feels like the most important thing in the world that you win that round for an hour or 2, and a wrong move can sting well after the game.
     But one of the most valuable things that comes plentifully at grandma's house is unconditional love. The generation removed really clears the stresses of having grown up in the same house as someone and having spent some of my favourite summers here gives me a sense of youthful happiness. I remember tasting macintosh apples for the first time, going to the farms and picking berries, and delicious raisin bran muffins from the oven.
     Grandma can't do a lot of these things anymore, she can't stand long enough to bake, she can't drive to the farms, or even bite into an apple. But it doesn't matter because I get to do those things for her now. She made my life better and I enjoy every opportunity to do the same for her.