My grandson, now thirteen, and sports adept

Had to have ingrown nails removed

From his two big toes

And the toes treated against regrowth.

Wide awake surgery -

And he was understandably nervous.

'Will you come with me, Grandma?'

'Of course, Honey.'

I would move heaven and earth for the child!

 

The three ladies in attendance were pleasant

And quietly interested in why I, his Nan,

Was by his side and not his Dad

Who had signed the appropriate papers.

But they asked no questions.

They made the boy comfortable on the table.

 

Suddenly, he said, 'Let's play 'I Spy'!'

A favourite game since childhood

Every time we piled into the car

For a drive of any length at all.

'OK. You start.

I'm assuming it will be something on the ceiling

Or at the top of the windows.'

His eyes popped. 'How did you know THAT!'

'Well', I said smugly,'You ARE lying on your back!'

He looked at me sharply, and grinned.

 

So the operation proceeded

With much interest on his part

And a good deal of nervous laughter.

He was an absolute 'soldier'.

I was so proud of him.

He could have cried buckets

Or screeched the house down

And I wouldn't have cared a bit.

I'm sure he knew that.

 

Cynthia Buell Thomas