GRANDMA’S ARROWS
By
Helen Gibbs Pohlot
Before going to sleep on the eve of his big trip, Kathryn asked her three-year-old son Mikey why he loved going to visit his grandparents in New Hampshire.
Mikey thought about it. “Mommy when Grandma makes my favorite food and reads me stories, she makes me feel important. It makes me happy,” he said.
“I know Grandma and Grandpa love me. They do so many special, nice things for me. I want to go there all the time.”
Kathryn looked deeply in the eyes of her beautiful child, grateful that despite his young age he already knew the importance of family. She kissed his forehead and tucked him in for the night.
The next day they would fly to New Hampshire for the Thanksgiving holiday. Mikey, 18-month-old Natalie and her husband Mike would share in her family’s wonderful tradition.
Kathryn wanted her children to experience the same feeling she had when she was a child, that family is everything. She recognized her parents would do all they could to make the holiday a wonderful experience. Kathryn knew that they were all welcomed and deeply loved. She was as excited as Mikey to go home.
But Mikey shocked Kathryn when he told her that he prepared for the trip several days in advance. He collected his books, games and packed his bag. He looked forward to the six-hour flight from Arizona to Boston.
On the morning of the trip, Mikey was up at 6 am. He ran into Natalie’s room.
“Natalie, today is the big day. Time to get up,” Mikey said.
Mikey’s parents, Kathryn and Mike came into the room. Together preparations were soon underway for the trip back east.
Although Mike had to work, he would join his family in New Hampshire the following week.
“We are all going to be together at Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving,” Mike told Mikey and Natalie.
Mikey was ready to go. He brought a treat for the ride and grabbed a few toys that Natalie might like to play with on the ride to the airport.
At the airport Mikey’s dad unloaded the car and put all the bags on the cart for the attendant to check. Once they were checked in, everyone hugged and kissed their dad goodbye.
“We will miss you Dad, but we will see you next week. Love you,” called Mikey as they walked into the airport.
Walking through the airport, they went past security, and eventually got to the gate where Mikey got his first glimpse of the plane. It was huge.
“Mom, Natalie look out the window at our plane. It is so big, I can’t wait to see inside,” said Mikey.
When the announcer said it was time to board, Mikey, Natalie and Kathryn were first in line. The flight attendant showed them their seats. They had the whole row.
“Can I have the seat by the window so I can see the clouds?” asked Mikey.
“Sure Mikey. Natalie can sit next to you and I’ll take the aisle seat,” she said.
The thrill of takeoff and the climb to 30,000 feet was exhilarating for Mikey. He loved every minute of it. Looking out at the big puffy, white clouds amazed him.
When the pilot took off the seat belt sign, Natalie leaned over to see the clouds as well. Mikey told her what his mom told him on his first flight that the clouds hold the rain.
“Mommy said that clouds are made up of tiny droplets of water or ice crystals that are so small and light they can float in the air,” he explained to his sister.
Natalie and Mikey watched the clouds for hours. After the brief airline meal, the young family read books and played games until the pilot announced preparations for landing.
Mikey got very excited, the time had flown by. He knew his Grandma would be waiting. He loved coming to her house. The last time he was there, she prepared a special room for him with his favorite toys and books. She made him delicious cookies, plus he knew Grandpa would take him for ice cream. Mikey loved his grandparents and couldn’t wait to see them.
As everyone prepared to deplane, Kathryn called Grandma to let her know where to meet. Mikey then helped his Mom get Natalie in the little stroller. He secured his carry-on bag, put on his jacket and walked with his Mom off the plane to the baggage claim where Grandma would be waiting.
Mikey had strict orders to stay by his mom’s side while they walked to get the bags. He listened…. until he caught site of Grandma with a big smile etched across her face.
“GRANDMA” Mikey yelled at the top of his lungs then sprinted to her waiting arms.
Grandma hugged her adorable grandson… so very happy to hold him once again. She didn’t want to let go knowing she waited for this moment for well over six months.
With her daughter once again in her arms, Grandma felt great. She marveled at the incredible mother and beautiful woman that stood before her. Pride and love filled the air. Everything seem right with the world.
Hugs and kisses were in abundance as the joyful family gathered their bags and headed for the car where Grandpa was waiting.
The ride to Nashua, NH from Boston took a little over an hour. The conversation was lively and happy. When they pulled into the driveway, Uncle Chris, Aunt Lauren, Cousin Carter, Uncle Steve and Aunt Angela came running out of the house to meet them.
“What a wonderful surprise!” Kathryn said with tears in her eyes “Everyone came up to see us. Thank you.”
Kathryn felt wonderful seeing her family. She missed them very much. Mikey and Natalie were equally happy to see everyone.
Before leaving for the airport Grandma prepared a sumptuous meal for the entire family. Grandpa spent two days making his special meatballs. Not often did they get the chance to have everyone home. With the exception of Kathryn’s husband Mike who would be there in a week, Grandma and Grandpa had their whole family together. It was a special day.
Mikey loved spending the day with his grandparents, aunts and uncles and young cousin Carter. He told Carter all about the Hulk, his favorite Marvel character. They played for hours enjoying all the toys Grandma gathered in the family room.
After the family feast, it was time for the uncles and aunts to go home. Everyone happily agreed to meet up during the week for various activities. Mikey said
goodnight to everyone. He was tired and couldn’t wait to see how Grandma set up his room.
Just as he suspected, Grandma had all his favorite books even his new favorite, The Kick That Stunned Pittsburgh, right by his bed.
There were toys and wonderful things in his special room. Mikey was very happy. He walked into his Mom’s room where she was putting Natalie to bed. “Mommy, I love it here,” he said.
“Everyone loves having you here as well,” Kathryn told her young son.
Grandma came up the stairs. “I think it is time for a story. Do I have anyone who wants to read one?” she asked.
“I do, I do,” said Mikey while running into his room to get a favorite book.
Mikey sat down in Grandma’s lap while she read him story after story. Grandma really enjoyed reading to Mikey. He was very smart, filled with wonder and wide eyed innocence. Sharing these special moments of childhood with him brought her incredible happiness.
Once they finished the last book, Grandma said, “Mikey I want to tell you something. Tomorrow, I have to go to work. Unfortunately, I can’t spend the day with you, but when you get up I want you to follow the white arrows I leave for you. Follow the arrows until you see a big X which marks the spot of a special surprise just for you.”
Mikey kissed Grandma goodnight telling her that he would follow her instructions. He was almost too excited to sleep knowing he had a surprise waiting in the morning.
At 5:00 AM Grandma placed arrows around the large family room. To follow the arrows Mikey had to go over, under, around and up though an obstacle type course that would only prove to heighten his quest. She placed a big X right in front of the hidden surprise location.
By 6:00, Mikey was up and ready for the adventure. His Mom insisted that he stay in bed until at least 7 when she and Natalie would go downstairs with him.
At 7 am, they all went downstairs. Mikey entered the family room and saw the first arrow. He quickly moved on to the second then third until he had to climb around the big chair to find the fourth. Once he found the fourth, it was on to the fifth.
“I feel like a pirate looking for treasure,” Mikey said while looking for the next arrow.
After the fifth arrow, Mikey looked to the right of the TV where he saw a sixth arrow. About a foot from the sixth arrow was a big X in front of a planter. X marks the spot, he remembered what Grandma said. He quickly looked behind the planter and found his surprise.
Natalie and Kathryn ran over to see what he found.
Tucked neatly behind the planer were two harmonicas, one for Mikey and one for Natalie. Grandma knew Mikey would want one for Natalie as well.
Mikey was really happy. He loved the quest and enjoyed every minute of being like a pirate in search of his treasure.
“This is a great way of getting up in the morning,” Mikey told his Mom and Natalie.
Shortly afterward Grandpa came downstairs. Mikey filled him in on every detail of his special quest.
That evening all Mikey could talk about at dinner was Grandma’s arrows. She told him to follow the arrows each day that she cannot spend with him.
After his nightly story Mikey went to sleep looking forward to following the arrows the next day.
Kathryn caught her Mom just before she was going to bed.“Mom why do you get up an extra hour early to make these arrows for Mikey. You don’t have to do it,” Kathryn said.
“Kathryn, I love Mikey and Natalie. I want them to always want to come here. I wish that I could spend every minute with them because family is the most important thing in the world,” Grandma told her daughter.
Kathryn hugged and kissed her Mom. She felt fortunate to have such a wonderful human being as a parent.
At promptly 7 AM, Mikey, Natalie and Kathryn went downstairs.
The first arrow started in the kitchen and quickly turned left into the family room, over the ottoman. Arrow two went under the coffee table, arrow number three back over the couch, number four into a toy box and then five. Arrow six was about five feet from arrow five, under a chair where Mikey found the big X.
Mikey screamed with excitement. “I found it, I found It.”
Natalie was equally excited. She ran over to Mikey who found two books tied with red ribbons. Mikey and Natalie were very excited and pleaded with their Mom to read them the books immediately.
It was nearing 4 pm when Mikey asked his mother when Grandma was getting home. He waited by the kitchen door anxious to thank her for the second day of arrows.
When Grandma walked in Mikey bombarded her with thanks and questions. He was so happy and thanked her for the arrows. He loved his very special surprises.
On Day three, Mikey tried to get downstairs a little earlier, but his Mom stuck to her rule of 7 AM.
Something was different this morning. The arrows started by the TV. There are a series of arrows around the family room leading out into the kitchen, then another series of arrows in the dining room leading to the living room for a total of about 25 arrows.
“Wow this must be really special with all these arrows,” Mikey told his mom.
At the end of the arrows Mikey found the big X. There was a big thing covered in a sheet above the big X. Mikey pulled off the sheet to uncover a flexible flyer sled in front of the hall closet door.
“Mom what is this? Mikey asked excitedly.
“I’ll tell you what it is,” a voice called from within the closet.
With that the hall closet door opened and out walked Uncle Chris with cousin Carter.
“It’s a flexible flyer sled. Grandma arranged for us to all go sledding today,” Uncle Chris said amid cheers from everyone.
“Come on, let’s eat breakfast and go sledding.” Uncle Chris said.
Mikey had a wonderful time in the snow. It was so different than Arizona where it is warm most of the year. He loved the snow, throwing snow balls and riding down the hill on the flexible flyer.
This was a day Mikey would never forget and he thanked Grandma for arranging it the minute she got home.
He curled up with her on the couch as she read him his nightly stories.
On day four, the arrows began in the kitchen. They circled around the room and then entered the family room. They went up the wall then abruptly left, over the cabinet, around the two wing chairs and under the coffee table. A final arrow emerged by the French doors where Mikey proudly found the big X.
“Mom, Mom, I found it,” he shouted, very proud of his achievement.
Behind the curtain over the French door Mikey found an ornament making kit.
Much to Mikey’s delight, Natalie and he made ornaments for Grandma to hang on her Christmas tree.
“Mikey why do you think Grandma gets up especially early to leave you arrows and a surprise?” Kathryn asked.
“Because Grandma loves me and she feels sad that she couldn’t be here to play with me.” Mikey replied.
Kathryn could not believe the accuracy of her son’s reply.
Day five brought a whole new set of challenges for Mikey. Not only did the arrows lead all around the downstairs, they headed out to the sun porch. The arrows didn’t stop. Mikey counted more arrows than he had fingers, multiple times. From the sun porch the arrows pointed to the family room where Mikey found the big X in front of Grandpa’s chair. He looked around but couldn’t find the surprise. Under the chair around it, on top of it. He looked everywhere. This was the first day he couldn’t find the surprise. Just when he was about to give up, he looked at the chair and realized that it may be under the cushioned seat.
“It might be under the seat,” Mikey yelled to his Mom.
“Go for it,” she yelled back.
Mikey lifted the seat. A big smile came over his face. Under the cushion were two make your own putty monster kits. Mikey had been wanting one of these for months. He was so happy and immediately sat down to make his monster.
Even though he was only three, Mikey realized all the time, effort and thought his Grandma put in to make this so special for him. It was one of the best weeks of his life.
At 7 AM, on day six, Mikey, Kathryn and Natalie came downstairs. Mikey’s enthusiasm for Grandma’s arrows grew with each passing day. He couldn’t wait to get up each day to begin his quest. It was not the surprise that was important to him. It was knowing his Grandma made a special effort to make him happy each morning.
The house was very quiet. There was a hint of cinnamon in air. Mikey saw his first arrow at the beginning of the family room where the kitchen ends. He proceeded to the second arrow which was all the way across the room. He searched and searched, but couldn’t find arrow three. Finally, he spotted the third arrow, then the fourth and finally the fifth. The spacing was much bigger now making him move quickly from one side of the room to the other.
The fifth arrow pointed to Grandma’s chair where Mikey found the big X directly on the floor below. Mikey looked around and didn’t see any surprise. He looked closer at the quilt draped over the back of Grandma’s chair. He moved in closer, then a little closer.
Suddenly he pulled the quilt off the top of the chair. Grandma rose up from behind the chair with cinnamon rolls in her hand. Mikey shrieked with joy.
“Grandma’s home, Grandma’s home. I get to spend the day with Grandma. This is the very best surprise of all,” yelled Mikey who instantly ran into grandma’s arms.
Kathryn looked on in awe. Her three- year old boy got it. Family is everything.