Almanac Life: Pop’s note to his grandchildren.

 

Hayden Kelly penned this note to his grandkids:

 

 

Well Brodie and Mitch it’s nearly the end of 2022 and I guess Pop owes you a message. Time flies and it seems like just yesterday when, eight and five years ago, you came into my life as God’s reward for not murdering your mum when she was a teenager (only joking, sort of).

 

Brodie

 

You are developing into a remarkable young lady and some things I love about you are:

 

The way you try your hardest at everything you do whether it be school, gymnastics, dancing, school athletics or nippers.

The determined look on your face whenever you are competing.

Your happiness for others when they win, when you haven’t been the winne, and the way you congratulate them.

The way you invent a new rule mid-stream to ensure you beat me at whatever game we are playing.

An iPad is something you look for only when it’s raining and you’re bored.

The respect you show for your teachers and the way you help them.

The way you look out for and engage the less fortunate kids.

The way you and your mates stick together although I always worry when Elsie and you walk out of class laughing about what you’ve done.

The way you protect and are proud of Mitch.

The way you are always gentle and loving to Little Nan and how in awe of her you are because she is 100.

Your smile when you see me waiting for you after school. It melts me every time.

The way you proudly tell people “That’s my Pop.”

The way you tell Mitchell “we’re lucky because some kids don’t get to go to the Melbourne Show and they can’t have sleepovers at their Nan and Pop’s or swim in Nan and Pop’s pool or go to Anglesea to the beach house and do Nippers.”

Your questions in the car always led with “Pop can I ask you a question?” which means I’m going to get a life advice question.

The way you listen to my advice.

The way you tell me “I love you Pop. I know you are my slave but you are my protector as well.”

Most of all I love the way you are happy and light up every room you walk into with your smile.

 

 

Never change Brodie keep the same attitude and the world is your oyster my beautiful granddaughter.

 

 

 

Mitch

 

 

Well mate, it’s been a journey from the sickly, skinny young baby and toddler to the big strong boy you are now ready to take the next step – into Prep. You’re ready now and jeez I will miss spending all day every Tuesday with you. Some things I love about you are:

 

 

Calling you George to stir you, and you demanding I refer to you as Mitchell William Kaye.

You holding my hand as we’re walking and you telling me “Pop, you and I are best mates.” Yes we are.

Walking into the local café, the staff greeting you and you telling them I will have a cheese toasty and an apple juice, Pop will have a Rueben and a cup of tea and we’ll share some chips.

Our singalongs in the car: Five Little Ducks, Old McDonald etc

Our maths games, fairly sure you might be the smartest maths kid in Prep next year.

Stories about your Kinda mates Lucas, Hunter et al.

Your magic and dance and singing shows. You surely are the world’s greatest showman.

The way, when we play our invented game, the dog Ninja races, you always call the final and somehow Doug always wins, Walter comes second and Ned and Jack fall over and don’t finish. I’m over your dogs winning and mine not finishing the course. Perhaps one day you’ll let one of them finish second to Doug.

The way you love your sister who will be looking out for you next year.

Your ability to find somewhere to have a leak whether or not there’s a toilet in sight. You can blame Pop’s bush upbringing for that, but suggest you temper that at school.

The way you are gentle and respectful to little Nan and give her the softest hugs.

The way you give the biggest hugs to Nan and Pop.

Your new found love of sleep overs.

 

You are strong now my best mate. It’s your time to fly, embrace it and Pop will always be there to pick you up if you fall.

 

Pop

 

 

Comments

  1. Peter Fuller says

    Love it Drizzle. I’m at a similar stage of life, 5 grandies from 10 down to 3. I am sure that having mismanaged my children’s upbringing (happily, they seem to have emerged in approaching middle-age as at least halfway decent and responsible citizens), I’m nowhere near as good a grandparent as you. However, it’s a mutual love affair, and they give me far more than I give them; the shared moments and experiences are priceless. I’m resting after spending a couple of hours today, playing a version of cricket with the two boys
    (10 and 8). Question is, am I too buggered to run Parkrun tomorrow morning and the Rip to River on Tuesday?
    Your Brodie sounds like the best kind of eight year old, wise and caring beyond her years.

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