Things We Lost in the Fire is a (2007) film starring Halle Berry and Benicio del Toro. Berry is the mother of two children and wife to her recently deceased husband. Del Toro is the husband’s best friend and a heroin addict. In the story, an electrical fire causes minor damage to the garage. However, the loss is more grave than a small fire. The sudden and tragic death of the husband is the fire. All is gone, lost in the fire.


Gamma remembers losing her things in a fire. She was in fourth grade and lived in Wallace Park. One afternoon, a church friend of her mom’s needed a babysitter. Happy to help, Gamma’s mom agreed to watch the friend’s two children while the friend worked on her college thesis. After loading up the car to go a few short blocks away, Gamma and her family went to help a friend in need. 



After a few hours with the friends' kids, Gamma, her mom, and her brother returned home. Usually, her mom parked the station wagon in the driveway. This time, she parked it on the street. The children hopped out of the car and ran up the sidewalk to the front door. Their mom only steps behind. After using the key to unlock the door, Gamma stepped up and pushed it open. The suffocating vapors and intense fumes smacked all of them in the face. The thick, dark smoke was impenetrable. The two-story brick home was on fire.


As the fire trucks arrived, the family stood silently in the street. Gamma thought, ‘All is lost’. Her things like Barbies, clothes, toys, and pictures are all gone. People from the neighborhood started to gather. Gamma helplessly squatted close to the curb with her mom and brother. Nobody moved, not even an inch. 
​

The high-powered firehose forced its fury on top of the roof over the family room. The Fire Marshal determined the cause of the blaze was due to a lightning strike. The best way to describe the scene was shocking. All was gone, lost in the fire.

A fire was about to ignite in Gamma's Grand’s world. It was Sunday afternoon. Sis was bored. She started rummaging through random pictures from inside the drawers of the dining room buffet table. Instantly, she recognized one of the photographs. It was a picture of her Pre-K class from last year. She snatched it from the drawer and headed to Gam’s bedroom, a place of refuge in times of trouble.  Sis’ bottom lip started to quiver. Her smile turned upside down. Teardrops rolled down her cheeks. Her body slumped over like an old lady with osteoporosis.


Gamma asked what was wrong. At first, Sis wouldn’t say. All she could do was look at the photograph, then at Gamma, then back again. After a minute, Sis shared her sorrow. She missed her friends, the ones she made last year at Pre-K. Sis missed playing on the playground with them. She missed drawing pictures with them. She missed sitting on the carpet watching movies with them. All was gone, lost in the fire. 
​

There have been other losses. Recently, the family lost two pets. Sissy was their dog. She was a kind, gentle, 14-year-old golden retriever mix. The children loved petting her thick, wavy hair.  They would pretend Sissy was human and have her wear hats. Bubba put socks on her paws to keep her ‘feet’ warm. It was hard to understand why she was here one day and gone the next. Gamma had scheduled an appointment at the veterinary clinic for her to go to sleep. Sissy had suffered a long illness. It was time. How could Sis and Bubba be saying goodbye if she was still here? Again, with the pouty lip, tear down the face, and bowed head. All was gone, lost in the fire.

The second pet loss came a few months later. Apollo was a rescue cat. He slept in the heated garage but spent his days inside the house. Apollo enjoyed roaming the neighborhood but stayed close to home. The family guessed he was 12 years old. His only health issue was a bad tooth.


Apollo came to live with the family in 2014. Previously, those in his old neighborhood kept him fed, not sheltered. The rescue happened after a cat attack. A concerned neighbor brought Apollo to the veterinary clinic where Sis’ mom worked. Cats in the subdivision had bullied Apollo. He was a lover, not a fighter. After healing, Sis’ mom decided to bring him home. This past summer, he got into poison and died. He was here one day and gone the next. All was gone, lost in the fire.

Experiencing grief isn’t easy at any age. Understanding it is a whole different thing. Children have trouble with finality. How could something so loved go away and never come back? Is Sissy in heaven? When will she be back? When will we see her again? When will we see Apollo again? Then, something clicks. Children realize it’s permanent. Sis’ friends from Pre-K aren’t in her class anymore. Things will never be the same. All is gone, lost in the fire.

Things Lost


Sister grabbed the picture out of the drawer. 
She looked at it once and then a bit more.
Off to bed to sit and think.
Preschool friends lost in a blink.
 
Sis wondered why they were gone.
How can it be? Did I do something wrong?
We had so much fun, they were my friends.
Would it ever be the same again?



Gamma’s not sure how to respond.
She watched Sis’ face grow sad and withdrawn.
With one single tear streaming down her face
Gamma knew heartache had taken place.

 
Sis pointed to friends and made a mental tally
Spotting three of her besties: Jessa, Jason, and Miss Allie.
Her eyes remained fixed on the photo from that day
The camera captured smiles just outside the hallway.


It was time for a hug, Gamma decided
No words were necessary until emotions subsided.
The quiet was comforting; no send or reply 
Just the warmth and the ease of a loved one nearby.

 
They sat quietly for a moment while Sister cried
It’s nice having feelings you don’t have to hide.
The two rocked together more slowly at first
As the swaying continued, the tears dispersed. 



After taking the time to grieve with no words, 
Gamma asked the question,” Why do you hurt?”
At first, there was silence, then Sister replied.
Sharing thoughts and sentiments she began to confide.

 
“You remember Jason, my friend at school?
We played on the playground and sat on the stools
In art class, we drew pictures and made things with clay.
I don’t see him anymore he’s a few doors away.”



“Jessa’s my friend. She liked playing with dolls.
We dressed them in clothes and helped them to crawl.
Miss Allie’s the teacher who told me I shined.
She’s the one I’ll remember because she was kind.”

 
Gam took a deep breath and mulled it all over.
She thought about one thing and then another. 
Sis is getting older it will be okay.
To hear the truth about loss today. 



“Let’s talk about this,” Gamma said as she waited.
For Sis to agree, talks aren’t over-rated.
Sis peeked through the hair that fell around her face.
Ready to listen and respond in good faith. 

 
Gam asked, “Do you remember about the house fire, 
The lightning-sparked meltdown of the electrical wire?”
That day was scary, sad, and just wrong.
Gam wondered if her feelings were lifelong.


A week or two later, Gam received a surprise.
New Barbies, new clothes, and new shoes in her size
Gam liked her new toys and the dresses with pockets.
But it’s hard to forget the old things in her closet.

 
Gam’s mom said she knew what it's like to lose things.
She lost her dog, Lady, when she was fourteen.
As time passes, the hurt becomes less.
Memories are happy ones, and you’ll feel blessed.
​ 
 
Let’s think about loss like friends in your past.
They’re still at your school, just not in your class.
Friends come and go, animals too
God’s gifts from above, on loan to you. 

Two sleepy children are snug in their beds
Sweet dreams and good things mull around in their heads.
Playdates, pool parties, and toes in the sand
Late summer nights and sleepovers with friends.


August is here, and routines will soon change
For two idle children, life won’t be the same.
One is quite happy about new adventures
The other has feelings of apprehension.


Beginnings are scary, impossible to ignore
This story starts on the eve before. 
It’s Sunday night, and Mom sets the alarm
A ringing and dinging full-on marathon.  



All must be up by seven o’clock
One hour before the school bus stops.
Alerts, flashing lights, and plans are in place
The children must wake up and keep up the pace.

Sis is the hardest to rise from her slumber
Encased in her sheets like she’s inside a bunker.
To successfully engage, Mom needs to be clever
She sends Baby Brother for the critical endeavor.   



He slaps down his hands like he’s beating a drum
On Sister’s double-bed dum-ditty dum.
From under the linens, Sis slowly does rise
She stretches her arms and opens her eyes.

​

Baby Brother’s a’ grinnin’ one ear to the other
Sis offers a half-smile and throws back the covers.
Meanwhile, Bubba’s sleeping through all of the babble
Dreaming of race cars and kicking pea gravel.



It’s his turn to awaken and face the new day
Thank goodness he’s easy and doesn’t delay. 
Rolling out of the bed to the closet, they go
Change from pajamas and into school clothes.

Sis puts on shorts, a shirt, and a dress
Trying to decide which outfit looks best.
Bubba likes clothes that don’t make him twitch,
Soft cotton t-shirts will forgo the itch.
 


The routine continues by keeping teeth white
Toothbrushes and toothpaste, brush brush, don’t fight.
With two at the vanity, pushing and shoving
The one to the side is the more peace-loving.

​

Here’s the thing to consider when dealing with siblings 
The closer the age, the more frequent the quibbling.
Sometime in the future, it won’t matter in the slightest. 
It’s sister and brotherly love at its finest.
 


Wipe faces and hands, set the towel on the sink 
Keep things moving, there’s no time to blink.
To think only last week they slept until nine
No rushing. No worries. No reason to whine.

Everything’s a flurry before exiting the door
Baby Brother just sits there and plays on the floor. 
More grooming is necessary before taking leave
Sometimes, hair brushing will cause Sis to scream.



She got a new hairstyle before school started
Long hair and tangles have finally parted.
Bubba sees a barber for a big boy haircut
Snip snip with the clippers, he keeps his eyes shut.



Time to grab backpacks hurriedly off of the hook
Sling over the shoulders, take a quick look.
They notice their feet don’t have any shoes
Where did they put them? They go looking for clues.



Could they be in the closet or by the backdoor?
Check out Baby Brother, he’s got ’em on the floor.
Walk down the driveway and to the bus stop
Mom eyeballs her phone, it’s eight o’clock.




The children look up from the street below
They see Gamma’s watching inside her window.
New routines take practice, understanding, and conversation
As children explore life’s undiscovered destinations.

Bedtime approaches somewhere around nine 
Prayers and pajamas for when it’s time.
There’s one hour left before tucking in sheets
The children are ready to make the sweet treats




Best Chef is located inside Gam’s bedroom
The actual cooking is in the bathroom
The sink is for washing the dirt from the hands
Paper towel germs are thrown in trash cans. 




The bathtub works best for prepping the cakes
It’s just the right height and has lots of space.
The closet is used for food and supplies
Brooms, mops, and pans tucked away in disguise.



“We make sweets here,’ Bubba says and continues
On back to the kitchen to grab all the menus
Before it gets maddening and orders fly in
Bubba and Sis take a breath and begin. 

​


Gamma’s the customer; sometimes it’s mom
Service is snappy and doesn’t take long
Bubba points to a note that’s taped to the door 
A checkmark means open, X closed until four

The staff’s in the kitchen there’s lots to do
Sis says, ‘We should hurry. It’s only us two.’ 
There’s clanging and banging and noise getting louder
Gam prays the two children aren’t using gunpowder.



Best Chef opens soon; time to review
The menu for Sunday before orders accrue
Bubba mentioned the sweets and went on to say
“We have gummies, milkshakes, and bananas today.’

​

Sis loves all the veggies and likes making salad
Like tomatoes with basil to please Gamma's palate.
“What will you have?’ asks Sis, pen in hand
She waits for an answer still in command.

Gamma loves all the choices and ponders a minute
She could start with dessert and end with spinach.
Sometimes it’s not easy to know what you want
So many good options in this restaurant.
 


Gam makes a decision and starts this fine meal
Ordering soup, salad, and drink with a lemon peel.
Sis writes down the order and quickly spins around
Off to the kitchen, barely making a sound.


​
When she returns with her delights on a tray
Gamma’s excited to see her display.
It’s alphabet soup made of spongy foam letters
And a toy boat with lettuce that’s no longer tethered.

The main course is finished; it's time for a perk
Bubba takes the sweets order since he likes dessert
Sis picks up the dishes to keep a clean table
Gam orders gummies on top of a bagel.



The children watch Gam as she takes her last bite
They hoped she liked it and thought it quite nice.
Next up the check that Gam gladly accepts
She grabs her brown wallet where money is kept.



​Grands like shiny coins not paper with ink.
Drop into the register to hear ‘clink-clink.’  
Bubba says, ‘Come again. We open at eight.’
He appreciates the tip and makes his escape.

​Bubba places an X on the door to mark closed,
Gam welcomes the info and leaps to her toes.  
It’s about time for the Grands to take flight
Eighty-sixing themselves until tomorrow night.

After three and a half long hours, Gamma and the children arrived at their destination. “Oh, the zoo, the zoo, no time to be blue,” exclaimed Gamma. “We’re here!” The children nor Gamma could contain themselves. Quickly, the seatbelts unbuckled. Gamma and the Grands darted to their feet and out of their seats. All were ready to see the animals at the Louisville Zoo. 


Most of the conversations in the car revolved around the must-see animals. The giraffes were top of the list with their spotted coats and considerably long necks. Second to the giraffes were the monkeys. The third must-see was the zebras. 


First things first, bathroom breaks and cool drinks. Does it sound like nonsense; to take a potty break and then refill the tank? The day was simply too splendid to make sense. 


After buying the tickets and walking hurriedly through the zoo’s gates, straight ahead was an oasis. It was the largest selection of ICEEs ever compiled.


There were endless flavors: Banana, Orange, Blue Raspberry, Bubble Gum, Cherry, Cherry-Lime, Cola, Cotton Candy, Flamingo, Lemonade, Grape, Green Apple, Igua-Nana, Llama-Ade, Mango, Peach, Orange Cream, Mixed Berry, Mermaid, Penguin-Melon, Pina Colada, Pina Kuala, Pink Watermelon, Shark Bait, Strawberry, Strawberry Lemonade, Watermelon, and White Cherry. It was scorching hot outside and temperatures were expected to peak at around 100. An ICEE was required. 


Each child chose their flavors; Bubba Blue Raspberry, Sis mixed it up with Banana, Blue Raspberry, & Bubble Gum, and Baby Brother had traditional Cherry (mom’s favorite).
​ 

As the children sipped their ICEES by the zoo sign, Gamma snapped a picture. She thought it clever to have a photo of the map should things go sideways. Armed with cool drinks, Gamma and the Grands started down the zoo path. After a quick left, there HE was; Cottontail Bunny. Standing as still as a statue. He didn’t scurry away as the White Rabbit did from Alice. Cottontail Bunny was ready and willing to be their guide.

​Like Alice’s fascination with the White Rabbit—Cottontail Bunny drew intrigue from the children. He hopped within inches of their feet. He wasn’t scared. He didn’t even flinch. His little body, with the strong, hind legs easily kept up with the Grands—No matter that he was 25 times smaller. The extraordinary journey through the zoo had begun.

​
Their first stop was the Conservation Carousel. It’s a magical ride with 24 wooden horses and 24 wooden animals of all kinds, many endangered. The delightful music and the array of animals rising and falling to the rhythm of the carousel were fairy-tale-like. The carousel is over a century old and arrived at the zoo in 2000. It was a magical place to begin our journey down the zoo path with Cottontail Bunny. ​

Hippity-hop, Hippity-hop, quickly arriving at our next stop. Cottontail Bunny introduced Gam and the Grands to the rhinoceros. The most distinctive feature of the rhinoceros was the large horn on its snout. The horn is made solely of keratin. When parents say, ‘Eat your carrots or veggies’, it’s not only for the beta-carotene to help you see better but for the keratin to strengthen your hair, skin, and nails. All animals have keratin in their nails, hooves, horns, and hair. Keratin helps the rhino develop a thick skin that acts as a protective plating. Bubba noticed the mud-coating all over the rhino's body. Though they have tough skin, rhinos may still get sunburned or get bit by mosquitos. So, they roll in the mud. Who knew?

“Look,” shouted Sis, “It’s the giraffe house.” The Grands were very excited and ran swiftly inside the glass building. Once inside, “Shew-wee,” said Bubba. The giraffe house was stinky but the giraffes themselves; were spectacular. There were two inside the building. Both were tall. One was taller. Baby Brother was in ‘awe’ at the sight of the long-necked creatures. He reached his hand to the sky to touch the elegant animal. He was only a tiny bit too short.

Cottontail Bunny encouraged Gam and the Grands to pitstop at the outdoor garden. Inside were hundreds of native Kentucky butterflies thriving within the ecosystem. The sanctuary was swarming with tiny insects. “Who are you?” asked the smoke-blowing caterpillar while awaiting Alice’s response. To answer the question, she blew the smoke away from her face and consequently blew the clothes off of the caterpillar. Alice looked around to see what happened, and the caterpillar had turned into a butterfly (Carroll, Adaptation by Bazaldua).


Most enthralled by the beauty of the butterflies was Gamma’s middle grandchild. He was very much interested in petting the graceful insects. Bubba didn’t want any part of petting goats, donkeys, or other animals inside the petting zoo. His ideal petting zoo was the butterfly sanctuary. He stuck his finger to the butterfly and gently stroked its wings. He was petting a butterfly. 

“It’s hot,” sighed Gamma. “We need to cool down.” Baby Brother’s fair skin was turning a bright shade of pink. Cottontail Bunny knew what to do. He led the crew up one hill and down another— and to everyone’s surprise, an ice cream stand materialized. Gamma motioned everyone over to the concessions and placed an order.
​

The only flavor was vanilla. No one minded. It was a creation of pure genius; coolness from the ice and sweetness from the cream. After a few bites melted on Baby Brother's tongue, and slid down his throat and into his belly, the snow-white color of his skin reappeared. Heat exhaustion averted.

The African Outpost was simply amazing. Capturing the Grand’s attention almost immediately was the African elephant. By far, the largest land mammal in the world and the largest of all three elephant species. Adult elephants can measure the same size as an in-ground swimming pool. The average weight is 11 tons—the equivalent of five midsize cars. The elephant in the room was the type of food elephants eat. They eat mostly foliage. Gamma couldn’t imagine getting that big and wide by being a vegetarian. 


Other animals of note in the grasslands included male and female lions, hippopotamus, giant tortoises, cheetahs, and zebras. The black-and-white striped horse was on the children's must-see list. The only problem was the viewing distance. The zebras gathered at the back of the enclosure making it difficult to see—time to go. Cottontail Bunny prodded the children to move along. There was so much more to see. ​

Around the corner was thick vegetation. Gamma and the Grands stepped further and further into the brush. It was cool and damp within the confines of the sugar cane and jungle-like trees and plants. The sunlight vanished—so did the sweltering temps. It’s time for a photo-op. Cottontail Bunny hid in between the sugar cane as other guests approached. After a short break, the journey continued.

“I told you I’d find the monkeys,’ Sis proudly exclaimed. She did indeed. And not just monkeys but gorillas. The most impressive of the gorillas was the ‘silverback.’ Silverbacks earn their stripe after reaching the age of 12. They are the leaders of the gorilla packs and the strongest primates in Africa. One of the larger gorillas in the park enjoyed a whole lettuce head and fruit.

To follow the White Rabbit, Alice needed to shrink to fit through the keyhole. She followed the advice of the Doorknob and drank the ‘Drink Me’ potion. After drinking it, she fell into the ‘Drink Me’ bottle and sailed on the Vale of Tears through the keyhole. Alice landed on the beach where Dodo commandeered other fish and birds to dance (Carroll, Adaptation by Bazaldua, pg 13). The idea was to air-dry. Unfortunately, the waves kept crashing to shore and getting them wet. 


After seeing all there was to see at the African Outpost, it was time to explore Glacier Run. Cottontail Bunny led the crew down a steep hill. At the bottom were misters. Like the waves of an ocean lapping on the beach, the purpose of the mister was to get zoo guests wet. Unlike the birds and the fish on the beach in Alice’s Wonderland, Gamma and the children wanted to get wet. The mist was cool and damp on their skin—a welcomed relief.  


Glacier Run was home to the Polar Bear, Grizzly Bear, Seals, and Sea Lions. Bubba wasn’t happy to venture into Glacier Run. Bears were scary with big paws, sharp teeth, and giant ‘roars.’ Gamma assured him they were safe. The bears were inside their very secure enclosures.  


Gam and the Grands advanced toward the Grizzly Bear. His enclosure was the largest, or so it seemed. He had gigantic rocks to climb, waterfalls to bathe in, and caves to take shelter. The walls between the guests and the animals are strong and tall. Cottontail Bunny stayed behind as the crew approached the bear. A tasty snack he would be, if not careful. The Grizzly was busy doing grizzly things and paid no attention to the zoo guests.

The next stop along the zoo trail was home to the Polar Bear. The snowy white bears are marine mammals and can weigh as much as ten men. The furry creatures spend much of their life hunting for prey though only having a success rate for ‘the hunt’ of less than 2%. Their senses are keen. They can smell prey over a mile-and-a-half away.  


​There was only one Polar Bear at the Louisville Zoo. He was in a glass cage with little to do other than stand or sit. At first, he stood on the second tier of a two-tiered cage. The space was encased in glass, consisting of concrete floors, a shoot or slide, and an old Glacier Run Wilderness Tour truck. The bear appeared confused and discontent. All three Grands: Sis, Bubba, and Baby Brother watched in amazement. 

Sis wanted to have a closer look at the fuzzy, white bear. With her face pressed against the glass, she watched and waited to observe his next move. Sis was curious about the bear. At the beginning of Alice’s Wonderland, Alice became curious about the hole the White Rabbit disappeared in. As she peeked down through the rabbit hole, she said, “Curiosity often leads to trouble” (Carroll, Adaptation by Bazaldua, pg. 7).


The enclosure’s clear glass looked like it was treated with a layer of metallic oxide. This can create an opaque effect that blocks out images on the other side of the glass. You can see through it, but the smokiness makes it more difficult. 


As the crowd gathered around the foggy glass, Sis continued to peer through, face to hands and hands to the glass. Slowly, the bear walked down the three steps that connected one floor to the next. His head turned side-to-side and sniffed the air as if searching for prey. Suddenly, the bear spotted Sis and made a ferocious sneer, lunging at the glass window. 



Everyone gasped. Sis jumped back in disbelief. All were shocked. Sis didn’t know whether to cry, run, or hide. It was both scary and embarrassing. The unexpected pounce was terrifying. It was an embarrassment because the crowd stared in silence. Sis buried her head in Gamma’s side and softly cried. After a few minutes, the excitement was over. Sis’ apprehension continued as we pushed forward to the next attraction.



After visiting the sea lions, Cottontail Bunny reappeared. Had Sis made the bear mad by peering through the glass? Did the bear spot Cottontail Bunny on the path? Could that be the reason for the lunge? In Alice’s Wonderland, the Cheshire Cat angered the Queen. He tripped her up, causing a fall that pulled her skirt over her head. Never matter—it wasn’t the Mad Hatter. 



The crew climbed up the hill, getting further away from Glacier Run. ‘Birds of a feather stick together’ as do Gamma and the Grands. 



The Flamingos were next on the zoo path—those pretty, pink birds with skinny legs and fluffy feathers. Everybody loves pink flamingos. There were at least 100 of these exotic birds at the zoo. Alice and the Queen played a game of croquet with flamingos. The birds were the croquet mallets; the hedgehogs the ball. More nonsense.

Cottontail Bunny enjoyed seeing the flamingos. He encouraged Gam and the Grands to persist along the zoo’s path. What’s that sound? It's laughing children heard above all other noises. They had reached Splash Park. It was near the end of the zoo trail. 



Splash Park was a nautical-themed water park. There was a climbable fishing boat, dump buckets, small water slides, and fountains of water poking through the concrete floor. It could be said—the highlight of the day. Gamma and the Grands were soaked in sweat and ready to get wet.  


Cottontail Bunny watched Gamma open the gate to Splash Park. As the children stepped through the human enclosure, they waved to their new friend. Cottontail Bunny had stayed beside Gamma and the Grands the entire adventure. For today, it was time to say goodbye. Cottontail Bunny had to return to the forest. The children whispered, ‘Until next time,’ and down the zoo path hopped Cottontail Bunny.

It’s the end of the day
Time to make our way
Back to the car
It’s not that far
Only one more hill
Then we can be still
Resting in our seat
And off our feet
Thinking about the zoo trail
And our new friend, Cottontail


The day was simply too splendid for nonsense.

In the book Disney Alice in Wonderland, Especially for Angela, Adapted by Barbara Bazaldua, 2017 Disney Enterprises, Inc. Based on Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland.

Rain and games go hand-in-hand.
Monopoly, Scrabble, Candyland
Never mind if one can’t read.
Gamma’s there to fill the need.


Here’s the thing with ones so young,
Playing games to have some fun.
Learning that we all can’t win,
Losing happens now and then.


At four years old, Sis got upset,
Fueled by winning above all else.
Now she’s five; it’s okay,
Other players can seize the day.


As for Bubba, he can’t wait,
Ready to participate.
Now he’s four and wants to win,
It looks like ‘Here we go again.’


Pick a game and choose it wisely,
Candyland will do quite nicely.
Take a seat and pay attention
Did Gamma forget to mention…


The object of the game is simple,
Colorful paths for plastic people.
Cards with shapes to guide each move,
Curvy curves and tiny grooves.  


Draw a card to see who’s first,
Gamma prays for no outbursts.
They made it through without squabble.
Onward, upward at full throttle.


Sis goes first and draws a card,
Double squares, two moves, not hard.
Bubba’s next and breathes in slow,
Wondering how far he’ll go.


Picks the card with a cupcake,
Catapults him to first place.
Gam awaits Sis’ reaction,
Will it be dissatisfaction?


Sis looks up; all is well,
The big girl smiles; Gam exhales.
“It’s okay,” says Sis and grins,
“It’s just a game. I won’t always win.”


Gamma’s turn is uneventful,
Move two squares and keep it simple.
Players race without hassle,
Aiming for the rainbow castle.


No surprise, Bubba wins,
Sis is the second to slide in.
Gam is third. That's last, you know.
Keep it moving, on with the show. 


For game two, Sis is the winner,
Bubba starts to pout and whimper.
He is four so was Sis last year,
An observation is quite clear.


With aging comes understanding,
Win or lose, life’s demanding.
If you’re second, third, or last,
Try again and have a blast.

Monopoly is the next game in line,
Kids never played; it should be fine.
Who’s the banker? Time to decide,
The one who counts to 105.


Once agreed, set up the board.
Select a figure and award,
Dollar bills to each player,
Properties and houses will come later.


Once again it’s time to choose who’s first,
Grab the dice, shake, and disperse.
The highest number starts the game,
Car, dog, and barrel are all claimed.


Land on a property that’s available
Same-color squares make it capable
To purchase houses or hotels
Raise the rent and tip the scales.


Play continues for an hour or two,
They all pass go ‘Yahoo.'
Bubba gets restless, can’t sit still,
Maybe it’s time to cut a deal.


Gam counts money for each player
It’s been fun with lots of layers
Money, Go to jail, and Community chest
New board games are the best!
​

Place the games neatly in each box,
Pieces, cards, boards, and tops.
All were happy they got to play,
Waiting for the next rainy day.

First kiss. First car. First job. First love. First child. First grandchild. First Lady. Just kidding. Gamma remembers many Firsts. Now, she’s a witness to her Grands’ Firsts.


The youngest grandchild celebrated his First birthday. He’s a summer baby. As with most First birthdays, it was a family affair. The guests were immediate family and a few outliers. The highlight of the whole shebang was blowing out the candles. Of course, a one-year-old can’t perform on demand. Assistance was required. It was like a scene from The Big Bad Wolf. Lots of huffing and puffing until the flame went out.


After blowing out the candles, Baby Brother stared at the cake. The process of eating birthday cake baffled him. He sat patiently in his high chair, shirtless, waiting for instruction from Mom. Slowly, he poked his finger into the icing. Then, with finger to mouth, his eyes widened. The destruction of the massive blob on his tray was seconds away. Pow! Baby Brother’s entire fist was covered in sugary goodness. The cheers erupted; cake for everyone!

​Another First involved a fairy, coins, and a lost tooth. Once the actual fear of losing a tooth is gone, every child loves leaving said tooth for the tooth fairy. The ceremonial task of strategically placing a tooth under a pillow, falling asleep, and waking to a stash of cash is magical. However, there are questions. How does the tooth fairy get in the house? Will she come down the chimney like Santa? What if you don’t have a chimney? So many questions. What does she do with all the teeth? Gam wasn’t sure how to answer that one. If anyone has an answer, please share.

For a lost tooth the tooth fairy waits. Leaving gifts under pillows for children to take. ​

The Third First. The First day of K-12. This year, the oldest Grand started kindergarten. She’s very excited. Preschool was a big deal. This is ginormous. "We get school supplies,” said Sis. What? Have you checked the price tag on school supplies? It may require a second job. Oh, they have a ‘mock’ school day, too. For clarity, it’s half a day spent with parents or guardians taking pictures and visiting the classroom. And get this…kids want to go.


The Fourth First. It was a breakout year for swimming. The five-year-old is swimming the length of the pool.  She’s diving off the ladder in the deep end. There are strokes underwater, above water, and a few backhanded strokes. What happens next summer, a job as a lifeguard? The four-year-old swims underwater and jumps off the side of the pool without floaties. He’s a brave boy and uses the diving board (with floaties). Plus, underwater tag games, diving for diving toys, and ‘Marco-Polo,’ Cowabunga!



The Fifth First. Sis and Bubba are learning to ride a bike. Each has ridden a balance bike and a bike with training wheels. The balance bikes were Christmas gifts, the training wheels birthday gifts, and the gift of riding without training wheels…a gift from Gamma.


Balance bikes are new to Gam. She remembers dismantling the training wheels from her bike to learn to ride on two wheels. It was kindergarten year and her family lived in Northeast Arkansas, close to Little Rock. Most of the neighbors were of similar income, education, and occupation.  Families lived in single-family households with basements, backyards, and swing sets. Nobody had fences around their yards. Summers were spent with friends, a.k.a. neighborhood kids. Play time started after breakfast and continued until dark.  Mom stayed home. Dad went to work. Everyone felt safe. Simple life. Simple times. 



Behind Gam’s house was a tall, grassy hill. It was the perfect launch pad for riding a bike. No helmet. No knee pads. No elbow pads. No nothing. It was just the wind and earth under the tires. Sure, collisions happened, but thankfully, memories fade. Well, to some degree…


As Gam recollects those memories, she associates a measure of pleasure and pain with learning to ride a bike. Riding down the hill at a high rate of speed was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. The Grands share similar emotions. They're conflicted. 



Where do the Grands practice?
Good question. Fate stepped in and helped with this one.
Gam’s next-door neighbors needed access to their backyard via her backyard to put in a pool. A makeshift road was constructed at the edge of her property. The architects of the swimming pool project included backhoes, concrete trucks, and hard workers. The one-lane dirt road resembled a back alley. It was perfect to teach the Grands how to ride their bikes.


What was the Grand’s experience on a bike?


One practiced on the bike with extra wheels (training wheels). The other practiced on the two-wheeler that glides (balance bike). Gam believes the ‘gliding’ biker is learning faster and having an easier go at it. She shares a quick play-by-play of their first riding experience.

There’s only one Gamma and two children. Typically, the more vocal child wins the battle of Firsts. The first biker was the training wheels learner. She was all over the place. Wobbly. Having trouble steering. Lacks balance. It was a challenge but Sis isn’t a quitter. The second biker was the glider. Bubba knew to keep his eyes on the dirt road. He could steer with no trouble. He forgets to pedal and wants to glide. Gam ‘let go’ after two or three runs. ​

What was Gamma’s Method for the Run-Along?


Teaching the Grands how to ride a bike required the children’s willingness to learn and a fit Gamma. First, it’s got to be their decision to learn. If they’re ready to go, Gam’s their biggest cheerleader. Lots of ‘Atta boys and girls’ and ‘You can do it.” Gam tells them she won’t let go, and she doesn’t. She asks if she may let go (only the glider has agreed). All three discuss the next ride. 


The other method is physicality. Gam’s learned that being at her physical best for the Grands is a must! It requires eating healthy, exercising, meditation, and prayer…lots of prayers. Jesus take the wheel kind of prayer. Gam places one hand on the back of the seat and the other on the handlebars. As she runs alongside each biker, she finds moments to let go of the handlebars. Then, if they’re willing, Gam lets go of the backseat. 

​
Firsts are exciting. Gam’s so lucky to live close by. Her wish is to experience as many Firsts as fate allows. Gamma’s Watching.

Love goes beyond big hugs and wet kisses.
It fills up a room and grants many wishes.
A wish could be missed if attention’s not paid.
All God’s children need recognition and praise.


For Gamma’s attention sun up to sundown,
Expectations are high for her two little clowns.
Those sweet little faces all smiles and cheeks,
Won’t settle for watching that’s merely a peek.


“Look at me, Gamma, watch what I can do.”
First a flip, then a twirl, and a dance move or two.
Run around in a circle, quickly down on all fours.
Pretend to be lions and let out a roar!!


The pride on their faces as they conquer each quest,
Insisting on accolades delivered with zest.
Sharing secrets through whispers
as the plot slowly thickens.
Theatrics compared to that of C. Dickens.


The two are a team as they take the stage.
Julliard contenders based on Gamma’s gauge. 
“Now Bubba go first,” says Sis with the plan
He gladly accepts his sibling's command.


Karate kicks, a chop, and a ninja roll.
Spring to your feet and touch your toes. 
Do a little jig and take a bow.
Gamma looks so very proud.


It’s time to switch places, Sis picks up the pace,
With a skip, a spin, and a happy girl face.
March forward, stand tall, hands high on the hips.
Sis is the star in this make-believe script.  


Gamma watches the action as they giggle and joust
Sitting comfortably cross-legged
​on the cream-colored couch.
One’s a ballerina, and the other’s a samurai.
Or a chef with a sous chef making meals on the fly.


Whatever the theme the drama seems real.
The enterprising children give Gam quite a thrill.
She knows it’s important to watch them at play.
Because Gamma’s watching makes everything okay.


Suddenly, the phone rings and Gam answers the call.
But if Gamma’s not watching, it’s no fun at all.
Gamma says, “Just a second; this won’t take long.
Keep playing the game or try singing a song.”


Oh no, what to do, will it be a disaster?
They wonder if Gamma could be any faster.
Take a breath, and stay calm, that’s what they’ll do.
Until Gamma stops talking to who knows who.


Gamma hangs up the phone and resumes her position.
On the cream-colored couch after a brief intermission.
As the children regroup it’s easy to see.
There are many more games to be played indeed.


The watching’s relentless and in much demand.
Forget disappointing Gam’s sweet little lambs.
Do they tire? No siree. They’ll go ‘til they drop.
Is it a second wind? Yes, maybe. Hippity-hop.


To keep sleep at bay, the music comes on.
The louder the better to halt all the yawns.
The tunes keep the beat, whether country or pop.
But the tempo that’s bounciest is probably rock.


As the clock ticks away, it’s abundantly clear.
That bedtime’s approaching and drawing near.
“One more time,” they say with a look and a “please.”
Gamma keeps watching, then laughs, and agrees.


The finale’s a big one; ideas float about.
It’s off to the corner to map out a route.
An obstacle course with pillows and chairs,
blankets, couch cushions, and a four-foot stuffed bear.


Off they go, it’s a race to see who will win.
When one of them loses, they’ll both try again. 
It’s late; they confess and are ready for bed.
Brushing teeth in pajamas so sugar is shed.


Now to the bedroom for more kisses and hugs.
Tuck them in tightly like a bug in a rug. 
Off go the lights, say a prayer, and drift to sleep.
It’s been a good day, and the watching’s complete.


Gamma kicks off her shoes and breathes in the air.
She looks at the toys scattered here and there.
Reminisces and ponders all the hugs and wet kisses.
Doled out by two children with hopes, dreams, and wishes.