It was a rainy Sunday during the 49ers vs. Giants football game. My son had tickets to the game at Candlestick Park and dropped off my 9-year-old grandson, Evan, for the day. I was ready for a fun-filled day of creativity and exploration.

After greetings with hugs and kisses I wanted to show Evan my new project. I had recently been to an altered book collage workshop and wanted to show him my creations. He was inspired to make a collage so we both began sorting through art materials for the next few hours.  

He was drawing, gluing and rummaging through boxes of beads, papers, magazines, and assorted art materials. At one point, with his head focused on his drawing, he said, “You know…everything is art!” As he stood up and walked over to a large potted palm tree in our dining room, he continued, “Someone planted this tree…that’s art! Anything we make is art…even I’m art! so are you…everything is art, like I said…” 

A few hours later Evan says, “I’m tired…” I asked if he wanted to go out for a walk and we both noticed it was raining very hard. I asked if he wanted to walk on our treadmill and with a big smile on his face he said, “Yes!!”

He enjoyed walking and running on the treadmill and increasing and decreasing the speed. He was laughing and moving in funny ways. We decided that our scientific experiment of exercising created more energy and he wasn’t tired anymore. Then he played with Asia, our cat, who was nearby watching his treadmill adventure. 

Evan was hungry and when I showed him a big pot of homemade chicken/vegetable soup he said, “That looks delicious!” and proceeded to have two bowls.  

Our day was also filled with Evan showing me YouTube videos of his favorite new Japanese Anime Sailor Moon characters, animated Pearls Before Swine and New Yorker comics, and he was adding fun new games and camera apps to my iPhone. I am always amazed as he confidently maneauvers around my iPhone.

This was another visit filled with laughter and creativity as we spent the entire day inside exploring all the art around us, because as Evan says, “Everything is art!” 

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

In joy, Marilyn