Candy Crush
Most afternoons around 3-ish to 4-ish, Azul usually has a snack and watches “his” shows on PBS to wind down his busy day of pre-school and playing. His shows, and he has claimed them as his, generally consist of “Arthur,” “Wild Kratts” and “Word Girl.” His snacks are mostly dried fruit, some veggies and maybe some type of cracker.” This afternoon I gave him a bonus cookie! I was expecting a very enthusiastic round of appreciation, but after a few minutes, in a crying voice he said, “My tummy hurts from that Oreo.” I looked up from the kitchen sink and he continued, “I think I need a candy instead.” I smiled and responded with, “Well, give it to me, I’ll eat it.” Of course ignoring the candy request. Without missing a beat he smiled back and replied, “Sorry, I ate it all!” Nice try, but his candy dreams were crushed.
Pretty Good
Since Azul is consistently with me, it may come as no surprise that he has attended his fair share of funerals. So far this year he has gone to four funerals with me and I have tried to prep him before each one and we talk about whether or not it is an open casket or an urn we will be seeing on the altar. And most importantly, we talk about funeral behavior. At his Great-grandma’s services he was feeling a little antsy between the Rosary and the Mass and turned to me and asked in a whispered voice, “Why didn’t you get pretty?” I looked down at my dress and replied, “I thought I did.” That’s when he touched his new shirt and blazer and very proudly said, “Not like me!” Both of us had to giggle at that one, even if we were in church.
Secret Code
I have always felt extremely lucky to still have my Grandmother around and much more for Azul to have a Great-grandma. They had very unique interactions that belong to only them, and I am glad he was able to see her on a weekly basis, if not more for the first five years of his life. A few weeks ago Azul was playing “Costco” and setting up his samples, of course they were in the form of different sized pieces of yarn, and he was getting his work day started. They were all delicately set up on the coffee table in the living room right next to Great-grandma’s chair. Azul announced, “Turkey Beef, get your Turkey Beef samples.” There was no reply from Great-grandma, either she couldn’t hear or didn’t want to play so she was ignoring the sample person, like we all do a one time or another. So, Azul not giving up, walked up to her and asked, “Are you a vegetarian, because I have Turkey Beef samples?” To Great-grandma’s surprise at the question, she replied “Oh, no, I’m Catholic!” They both seemed satisfied without really understanding each other.
I am going to miss that.
Crucita Rose Gonzales – December 4, 1921 to October 2, 2013
Carmelina Hart 