BABY SITTING

I am baby sitting my granddog, Eyelee. Her mommy is away, and her daddy is working so I am taking care of her this week. I had planned to take photo's and write a little book called, "Eyelee Goes To Grandma's". The idea was to make her pancakes, take her to the park, go swimming, read her books, nap together, and document all the fun times my granddog had at my house this week. After today the new title will be, "Eyelee Lives To See Another Day."
It started when she dug under the fence and went on a running spree down the highway. Being half greyhound she could outrun papa and granny. So, papa got in his pick-up and went lookin' for the now named, "Devil Dog From Hades". He could tell where she was by the blare of horns and the disarray of cars in the ditch. While papa ventured in the truck, grandma jumped on her trusty steed, Ezra, and raced around the acreage screaming at the top of her lungs, "EYELEEEEEEEEEEE!"
Papa finally spotted her in the next town over. That naughty girl ran from pops, but he faithfully stumbled after her in his worn cowboys boots, trying not to have a heart attack! As Devil Dog ran away, she inadvertently stumbled into a goat pen and gramps was able to collar her and drag her to the truck. Meanwhile back at the ranch, grandma is having a complete nervous breakdown thinkin' her 8 million dollar granddog is squished on the interstate or even worse: kidnapped! I didn't know whether to kill her or give her a pedicure when grandpa pulled in the driveway with our wayward child. My heart was racing until midnight while Eyelee snored on the couch.
Now it is 4:16am and I am writing yet another adventure. My 50+ year old bladder aint what she use to be, so I visit the bathroom about 3:00am. My house is dark so i am use to feeling my way to the restroom. I am NOT use to feeling warm wet on my feet or warm squish between my toes. The over head light told a sad tale of what a dogs tummy does with a new type of dog food after an exciting day. It is an amazing act of science how a 50 pound dog and leave 75 pounds of poo on the floor. It is also magical how one bowl of water, when added to a dog, converts to 578 gallons of pee on the carpet. Grandma,(me), had to get her entire arsenal of carpet cleaners, floor cleaners, mops, buckets, rags, gloves, and gas-masks in order to bring order to her floors.
I wanted to mumble, I wanted to grumble, I wanted to whoop some dog flesh. But as i knelt and scrubbed, it was the perfect position to analyze the situation. I was not caring for the dog, because I love the dog, I was caring for the dog because I love her owners. I thought of how precious my daughter and her husband are to me. I thought of the fun we had had together just the night before. I remembered the laughs and words of encouragement. I mused on the shopping trips smelling candles, and the crazy talks on the phone. I realized that although I no longer have any Windex, Tilex, or Kleenex, I have a special spot in my heart for two folks who I am glad to," Be What They Need".
My husband had taught me this concept years ago, and I don't know whether to hate him or love him for it. His theory is that as your children age, you not longer get to dictate how and when you want to show your love and affection. THEY determine how and when you will demonstrate your care. Being what they need means getting a pizza when you would rather hold your new grandbaby. Being what they need means driving 3 hours to have lunch with them. Being what they need means forking over some cash, no lots of cash, when they call. Being what they need mean sending important documents next day mail. Being what they need means spending your grocery money on treats. Being what they need means lending your car, painting a dresser, driving through the night, scrubbing a garage floor, and typing a term paper. Being what they need involves cooking banana pudding, Ezekiel bread, chicken and dumplins, stuffed shells, and making tons and tons of tea. It means buying special outfits, sending care packages, going to a T-ball game, cleaning up after a wedding, praying faithfully each and every day, and even watching an 8 month old pup. Being what they need is showing a level of selfless love that emulates how our Saviour loves us.
It will probably be another hour before I get the Mount Vesuvius explosion under control. But I will enjoy every second. Yep, this cowgirl is smilin'. Smilin' because she loves her children. She loves being what they need.