Let's Do Something Dangerous

When the grandsons came to visit, they loved to go with Grampa to the "magic cave" (his workroom) where we feared they were allowed to use power tools and knives.  I don't think we wanted to know for sure and always hoped Grampa loved them enough to make sure they weren't hurt.  He would have feared for his life if they did get hurt!

I remember the first day Matt came storming in the front door, kicking his shoes off behind him and leaning through the doorway with a big grin on his red-headed face.  "Grampa, let's do something dangerous!", he yelled as he ran in.  It was then we knew for sure.

Grampa didn't believe in coddling the kids and let them take chances we mothers would never allow.  I remember being on the annual Good Friday hike when he put little Nick, not yet a year old, on his shoulders and ran down a steep hill with him.  I thought Kim and Brian would have a heart attack.

There were so many adventures, many just a little scary, that the kids had with Dennis and I'm sure that's why they tailed him around when he was with them.  You never knew what exciting thing was going to happen next.  I say "kids" but the girls had more sense than the boys and Dennis seemed to be a lot more careful with them, too.  Sexist.

When we get together now, the boys love to regale us with memories of some of the fun, and dangerous, stunts they did with their Grampa.  Sadly, they remember me as the worrier.