My little darlings,
Before I start, know that I deliberately put this letter where you can see it, beside your box of cornflakes so you can’t tell me you didn’t see it.
That said, I want you to do some things for me during this holiday you’re about to spend at your grandfather’s place.
Loves, please pay really good attention and understand what I ask of you. They are crazy things but I want you to do them.
Every morning, I want you to skip to your grandfather’s room with mischief in your eyes, laughter in your voice and a bunch of fresh flowers (from the garden) in one hand behind your back . Greet him with a loud good morning and jump on his bed and cuddle against him. Then when he starts to frown, gently place the flowers under his nose and say,
“Grandpa, isn’t it a good morning? ! And we brought flowers too”. Tell him how grumpy he looks and demand that he smile because my loves, your grandfather finds it hard to smile now.
My babies, I want you to gently hug him from behind everytime he sits in that lonely chair on the veranda. Hug him tight with your tiny hands around his neck and kiss his cheeks the way you kiss mine. When he goes stiff say, “Grandpa, are you alright? You are so stiff! Why can’t you relax? mummy says it’s bad to be stiff! ” Do this because your grandfather has long forgotten what a hug is.
My beauties, every evening after Maghreb when your grandfather sits on his mat and gaze around the compound, I want you to go to him, sit around him, hold his hands and say,
“Grandpa, tell us a story! “. If he says no, do the things you do when I say no to “Sofia the first”. Remember how you started faking hiccups and headache when I said no Ice cream last week? Good.
Children of my heart, I want you, when you see your grandfather is less busy, to go to him, place your head on his laps, hug him and say,
“Grandpa, we are really hungry and we want you to cook noodles for us” or “Grandpa, read for us” or “Grandpa, let’s play Scrabble ” or any other thing you use to disturb me with when I want to sleep. Because your grandfather likes being very lazy now since he thinks nothing is worth doing anymore.
Eyin omo mi, whenever you see your grandfather sitting away from everyone in his room, I want you to go and be “question monsters” to him. When he says, “go and play” reply with “but Grandpa, why don’t you want answer us, don’t you love us? “. The same way you do when you drive me crazy with your endless questions.
Sami and Mukhtar, when you see your grandfather looking really sad, go to him and hug him tight. Ask him to tell you about grandmother. If he starts shedding tears, clean his tears and hold his hands, tell him you love him so much.
I want you to help your grandfather learn to live again.I want you to learn from him. I want you to give him the gift of truly enjoying your presence for these two weeks you’ll spend with him.
Tease him so bad he’ll hold his stomach in laughter, talk with him late into the day, drag him to play and walk with him anywhere you can. Enjoy him as much as you can because he’s the only grandfather you have. Help him enjoy you as much as he can too, because you’re the only grandchildren he’s got.
Please, do this for me. I love you and I miss you so, so much.
P. S
DO NOT overdose on Ice-cream.
Sami, try not to bed-wet too much. Remember, when you feel like peeing while sleeping, jump up and go to the bathroom.
Mukhtar, DO NOT bully Sami. You promised.
And, when pulling your grandfather’s beard, be gentle.
Sami, DO NOT slap your grandfather’s head because “it’s shiny”. Remember how angry I was the last time you did it.
Lastly Sami, DO NOT hide in the washing machine because “it’s cozy “. I’ll spank you if I’m told you did.
That’s all. Love you!
