park dates

today (Friday) I went to the city park with five of the youngest grandchildren

that may not sound like a big deal to you,

other than the fact that I had a 7, 6, 5, 4 and 2 year old there by myself,

but it was a huge event

that was something Bill did every time they came to visit

he would work at KCU all day, 

sometimes into early evening,

but if the weather permitted, 

without fail it seems,

they had a date at the city park across the street

even if it had to be done while he was still in his shirt and tie

it was part of "their thing"

as I sat there this evening remembering and 

watching them climb and run and slide,

pushing the swing for the ones who asked,

I thought about some of the things Bill used to do

that I am now responsible for if they are going to get done

and I realized how many of them I have grown mostly comfortable with

I couldn't have taken them a year ago

as a matter of fact,

I heard a certain level of disbelief 

"grandma is taking us?" 

when word was being spread from one to the others

love, time and necessity have a way of growing and stretching us