She ran outside and screamed, "Papa." Then jumped into my arms.
She took me by my hand and walked me back to the truck and when inside she began to chant, "Me and Papa, Me and Papa." I smiled. We were back to normal.
"Papa."
"Yes, Sweetheart."
"Did Nana say you could come get me."
"Yes, Nana gave me permission. She said it'd be good for me and you."
"Nana's smart, isn't she Papa." Before I could answer (yes) she said, "I get a real breakfast this morning. Papa, I want a breakfast burrito and hash browns, and I want an apple pie too. Okay, Papa."
The rain intensified. She reached and took my hand. Her's was warm and soft. "Little Bit, what have you been eating for breakfast?"
"Poptarts."
"Just poptarts?"
"Yes, Papa, and they don't even warm them." Black thoughts on my mind...
I controlled my anger. It was too nice a morning and I had my Little Bit, and I was happy. Then, "Papa, can you pick me up after school?"
"Not today, Sweetheart. Maybe on Monday." She'd taken a book from her bag and was reading to me. She has a beautiful voice. "Okay, Papa."
After breakfast we're sitting in front of her school. She's in my lap. Then, "Papa are you finished being sick now?"
"Not completely, Honey, but Papa feels better." She smiled and gave me a few butterfly kisses. Then reached into her bag and and took out an envelope. "I made you a Valentine's Day card Papa. I got one for Nana too."
I read her card and thanked her and gave her a kiss. Then, she sat back and put on her waiting face. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I smiled and took her back into my arms. Said, "Honey, Papa hasn't had a chance to buy you a card yet, but I promise, on the way home I will."
Back at me she said, "Papa, it's okay. I know you love me and besides I get to spend Sunday night with you and then Monday too 'cause schools out and you know what?"
"What?"
"Monday's my birthday."
I'd forgotten.
Stephen
Your Little Bit stories always make me smile :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kris, she makes me smile too.
DeleteWhat Kris Said :)
ReplyDeleteand HAPPY BIRTHDAY! to Little Bit.
Thank you, PISSED, I'll pass along the 'happy birthday' to her.
DeleteA few stops? I reckon so. :) Such a joy, she is. You're a VERY blessed man.
ReplyDeleteA few too many...this one there and that one over there. Then flowers, and cards, and by the time I was home I was one whupped man. Thank you, God has been very kind to me of late.
DeleteDito on what Kris said ; )
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sweet Lady. One of these days we need to get together and cook...maybe we should have a blog cooking event.
DeleteAhhhhh man....its a joy....
ReplyDeletebtw....i love eating cold pop tarts too.
Warlock, I don't mind eating a cold poptart once in a great while, but to only feed a child cold poptarts daily...not good. It's just plain assed lazy on their part. She is a joy, thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteYou must be doing better! I was a little surprised when your story began I was thinking its an older story. Nope. . .Awwweee. And you are making that trip to get Little Bit! I agree with Kris and everyone --these stories are the best/ Papa & Little Bit! So nice for ya to have those trips again. Feels good to hear you say you and Little Bit are back to normal. You made her day, she sounded so excited to have you there. Best day at school with a bigger smile, than yesterday. It is nice she is getting to come over on Sunday, spend the nite and wake up on her birthday with Papa & Nana, now there all is right in her
ReplyDeleteworld. So happy for you. You have been through quite an ordeal there. At least you get to still give the Valentine and now make her birthday so special!!! Now all is right in our world! Tell Little Bit, Happy Birthday! Hope you are feeling as good as you sound!
Thank you. Yes, I do feel better, though I'm far from one hundred percent. Yes, I've always driven Little Bit to school. I'll pass along your birthday wishes.
DeleteOk so a grown man can cry. Things are looking better for you, SW, & LB.
ReplyDeleteYes, Rob, we do weep on occasion. Things are better, thank you.
DeleteI am new here, so I don't know the story of little bit, but she sounds just precious and you, sir, are an amazing man.
ReplyDeleteShucks, thank you, dear lady. Just hit my archives for the stories of Little Bit. Most are under, 'It's The Little Things,' and 'Bits and Pieces.'
DeleteI remember I use to BEG for poptarts for breakfast! lol! NOT going to happen in my mom's house! We did not have much, but mom did feed us healthy food as much as possible.
ReplyDeleteShe is very precious! :) There are not many Grands who have such a wonderful and deep and loving relationship as you two Grands do! I love it! and am humbled to be able to "share" it with you two. You both are very blessed. (I mean the three of you...Sorry "Nana"!)
Kellie, thank you for the kind comment. Yes, she is precious to us. A constant diet of sugar baked bread and jam just doesn't cut it with me. Then again, my son and his wife are young people, and the young among us, for the most part, are extremely lazy.
DeleteMy boys love poptarts..atleast I have the fortitude to warm them in the toaster first though. I forgot her birthday was coming up.... I hope she has a good one.
ReplyDeleteGood for you...they just shove the package at her...ticks me off. Thanks, Sweetheart.
DeleteWhat a beautiful post. What a beautiful Little Bit! What a blessing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Leigh. I try. She is indeed a blessing.
DeleteIndeed. A shall have a talk with my son and DIL about the poptarts...not quite back into the swing of my routine yet. I've taken her to school twice this week and driven home for nurse care. Trust me, I pay for it but she's worth the effort. Thank you, my good friend.
ReplyDeleteYou're both very lucky to have each other.
ReplyDeleteThank you...I'm the lucky one. She has changed me and enriched my life more than I'll ever know.
Deleteugh sweet friend...where do i even start? i know, i'll start with how happy i am that you are feeling well enough to get back into your routine...and her routine. promise me that you will give her the biggest hug and kiss on her birthday for me. i know that i can count on you.
ReplyDeleteyour friend,
kymber
Thank you, kymber. I'm not back to my old self as yet..I hope to open my shop on a limited basis next week. I'll be sure and give her a kiss for you.
DeleteStephen don't worry and get upset..... when she is with you and Sweet Wife she gets the best ... and I don't only mean about breakfast!
ReplyDeleteWish Little Bit a happy, fun birthday from all of us!
She is one very lucky little girl!
I try, Phyllis, it's awful hard though. We do kinda spoil her...I shall on the birthday...we're the lucky ones. Thank you very much.
DeleteThat's what grandbabies are for, to spoil rotten. Payoff for all that hard work of parenting.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see you continue to take it easy and heal up right.
I agree, Larry. Thank you...my recovery continues..slowly, but soon I should be back to normal.
ReplyDeleteI love the stories of Little Bit. She reminds me so much of my daughter. You are a great Papa. Hang in there. I have kids in my house all the time between my kids and their friends. Some of those kids are from terrible homes and they don't want to leave my house. There's independence (play outside in the fort) but also watchful eyes (come eat some carrots before you fall off that log!). They all grow up eventually, at least I think so. It hurts my heart that your Little Bit has been through so much in her short life. I pray her parents grow up soon.
ReplyDeleteAbbe, so do I. Thank you for the sweet and kind comment. As soon as I possibly am able I shall link your blog (if I haven't already) on my site. Again, thanks.
DeleteHappy Birthday to Little Bit! As for the poptarts, try not to get to angry over things you can't control - children are amazingly good at surviving childhood, even if they have chocolate-frosted sugar bombs (poptart or cereal version) for breakfast every day. Besides, she clearly has gotten a taste for the good stuff, and she'll find a way soon to make a grand mess in the kitchen making it herself.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your loving warden is letting you out for some fun, and you're well enough to manage it!
It's very hard for me not to get angry, I try, but its hard. Thank you for the kind comment. I'll pass along your birthday wishes. God bless, and thank you.
Delete