Kitchens

Kitchens

Stay out of the kitchen, I just washed the floor. Kitchens, a place where families gather for a meal, where friends gather around the island countertop. It does not matter if you spent hours cleaning the living room and study, they always manage to gather around the kitchen. Might as well have left the other rooms the way they normally were, who would have noticed the worn grey blanket on the couch , the pillows covered with old pillow cases your husband rests his head on every night.
Kitchens, is it the place you really want little kids to keep out of cupboards or draws? In my house there was always one special cupboard devoted for kids. Mine were little, they loved taking Tupperware out and stacking them . They grew out of such simple activities and found their way to where the cereal boxes were kept. Along came Jason, eight years younger then my daughter, his mom loved to golf and I loved having Jason around. At age two and three the Tupperware went back into the familiar cupboard. He headed right that way when he came over to visit. At age four, he loved the outdoors. We set up a tire in the middle of the yard. He taught me how to chip a golf ball into it.
We decided to sit on the tall stools .Looking over the railing and glass windows. Onto the ice surface below . His feet barely reached the foot chrome bars. He peeled off his coat and it slid to the ground. I asked if he wanted something from the snack bar French fries had not quenched his growing appetite. I read him the menu, although going on 10 years old, That was not necessary, I just needed to feel wanted. A bagel and blue pepsi seemed to be his choice. We chatted for a full hour about the past and present, I shared a stories about his childhood. He kept me in touch with his hockey games. I might be rooting for the wrong hockey team that whole hour. But I would get another chance to watch my own daughter play again now 17. When will I get a chance to sit with my little buddy?
Jason graduated from University this month. I still have my cupboard in the kitchen full of toys now for my grandchildren. Those great garage sale finds. It's hard to keep up with the toys those growing boys love. I missed a good find last week, a board game of chutes and ladders. Little Felix still enjoys the cars and the motorized soccer ball.