Simple and Common

Originally Posted: 2016

Gavin hated to sleep, he was always worried about missing out on something and he fought sleep with every ounce of energy he had.
One night after an extremely active day at the cabin we all sat around the campfire and Gavin was exhausted. It was chilly and I had a big blanket and he came to me while rubbing his sleepy eyes and asked, “Namma, can I sit with you?” and I opened my arms and my blanket and in he crawled.  He was a big child for his age but I cradled and rocked him like a baby with his head on my shoulder, within minutes sleep finally won and his eyes closed.

When Mommy realized he was sleeping she came to take him from me but I shooed her away.
“Mom” she said “he is too heavy for you to hold” and he was but I didn’t care, I was enjoying this incredibly rare chance to hold my sleeping 7 year old grandson.
After a while he did become too heavy, but I found the strength to carry him to our motor home and lay him on the pull out couch.  As I covered him up his eyes opened for a second and I quietly whispered  “Shhhh Gav-Gav, go back to sleep”. I sat by his side until he faded off again.

Gav usually slept in the cabin with his family but not that night. When it was time for everyone to go to bed mommy began walking to the motor home to get him and I told her to leave him right where he was.

The first thing I saw when I woke up the next morning was Gavin’s smiling face as he sat up from where he slept.
”Namma!” he said proudly, “I got to spend the night with you!” to which I smiled and replied “Yes you did Gav, now come give Namma a good morning hug.”  His response was quick and within seconds he was snuggled against me in our bed as granddad and I shifted to give our youngest grandson room to lay with us.

Such a simple and common thing don’t you think, a grandchild spending the night with his grandparents?

Simple and common it was but it is a time of my life that I treasure and think of often.
Today Gavin rests in paradise and now all I have are memories. I miss that little boy every minute of every day and that will never stop.  Enjoy even the simple and common every day moments you share with those you love as someday they could well become some of your most treasured memories.

Gavin at Apple Hill (California)