An Evening of Independence

                Last evening my grandchildren were given a very exciting gift—“temporary independence”.  Their parents were going out for the evening and the 16 year was given the responsibly to be the over-seer of her two sisters, aged 13 and 8.  They were allowed to do what they wanted within reason while their parents were out.  The fact that the 16 year old had her own car gave them even greater freedom.

                So what to do?  Well, the first thing was to pile into the car and head to the nearest recreation park.  It was time to swing, ride the slide and ride the merry go round and generally use up their physical energies.  They romped in the park until the dark ended their foray.  Now back into the car and a big decision as to where to go next.    Well, the oldest worked at the local yogurt parlor and was entitled to a discount to whatever they purchased.  So off they went for yogurt.  Each person got their favorite treat with big sister picking up the tab.

                It was still fairly early in the evening, so what were they going to do next?  Hey, a quick call to their grandmother and they received a special invitation to visit their Mimi and Papa.   So to the grandparents’ house they went.  After a usual grandparent welcome, the girls had some additional refreshments.  They enjoyed their visit with the older folks, but the younger was beginning to doze off.  So now it was time to return home for the rest of the evening.

                After each girl hugged each grandparent, they drove the six miles back to their home.  Then there was the required text to their grandparents that they were safely home.  The girls then settled down to bed or to relax for the rest of the evening while awaiting their parents return

                Now these three girls had any choices for this particular evening, but what did they choose to do?  In order, a playground, a yogurt shop, and their grandparents’ home.  As one of those grandparents, we felt much honored to be ranked in the top three things these granddaughters wanted to do in their evening of freedom.  We are truly blessed.