Evan, my almost 9 year old grandson, loves crafts…and so do I.  Whenever we are together creativity abounds.  He always has ideas and I always have the supplies.  We both marvel at the synchronicity and enjoy the process together. 

As we create, there are moments of silence and moments of diverse conversation.  As Evan is decorating a plain brown bag to use for trick or treating, he says, “Did you know there are Dryads that live in every tree in the world…?”  He continues to tell me the lore of these mythical tree nymphs.  Then he continues, “…and there are some types of mountain Dryads called Orieads and I want to see what those look like…could you Google them on your iPhone…?”   I proceed to call up images of these mythical creatures and have now learned something new. 

As we continue to create, Evan asks, “Do you know what a simile is?” and proceeds to give me an example. Then a discussion about metaphors and similes ensues, followed by some googling to get some specific examples to clarify.  We particularly liked this example: My father grumbles like a bear in the mornings (simile) versus, My father is a bear in the mornings (metaphor). 

He then makes a comment, and after says, “Sarcasm!”  I told him I had just read an article about new punctuation marks that are in consideration for use in our written language.  There is one called the Snark, which is a backwards question mark that connotes sarcasm.  He loved that piece of information and told me, “Every time I want to say sarcasm at the end of a sentence, I will say SNARK!”  We had lots of fun snarking throughout the day.

I love learning and relearning with Evan.  I love experiencing the flow of his mind and the sense of joy and wide eyed wonder he exudes.  Laughter and silliness always accompany our times together, and this time was no exception, as we made ghosts, decorated trick or treat bags and wrote Halloween poems. 

During this particular visit Evan and I also went to a picnic with many of my friends.  I told him he met some of them 8 years ago at my birthday party when he was just a baby. He then said, “When I’m 86 you will say I met them 86 years ago!”  And with a chuckle, I thought….wouldn’t that be nice?!

Until next Wednesday, remember, it’s all “for the love of kids…”

In joy, Marilyn