Page 31 - SDWM Digital Version Mojo Cover

Photo by R.L. Peterson

By R. L. Peterson

her coffee and his milk Spider Man pajamas, says
steamer to the patio, where good night to his giraffe, his
they snuggle and count hippopotamus, his kanga-
‘tweet tweets,’ (birds), and roo and alligator and stows
Reid describes the “big guys” his toys for the night. Nana
(buildings) he’ll construct carries him upstairs, where
with his Legos. Later, on a she reads him books, and
tricycle ride in the neighbor- they discuss their day to-
hood, he grows tired, jumps gether. After blowing kisses
off his trike, expecting Nana to Mama and Dada, little
to carry both him and his brother Miles, and Grand-
tricycle home. She responds, mother Kris and Grandfa-
“I believe you can petal to ther Don, Reid stretches out
the next driveway.” There she on his bed. Nana rubs his
says, “Now, to our mailbox. shoulders and tells him what
That’s home.” When he rides a fine young man he is.
triumphally into our garage, Reid falls asleep, a slight
she applauds. “See, you can smile on his face. Does he
do anything you put your dream of another magical
mind to.” day with Nana? Perhaps
Even a whirlwind needs a ride on the train at Old
rocket ship blasts At twenty-eight months, a breather. Afternoons, Reid Poway Park or a cooling dip
off in the Family Reid sings “Old McDonald grabs a blanket from the sofa in the swimming pool. Yes,
R
A oom. On the Had A Farm,” “Itsy Bitsy and curls up on Nana’s bed a sharp-edged Lego piece
carpet is a green and yellow Spider,” and other children’s for a nap. When he awakes, hides in the carpet, ready to
garbage truck, a blue dump classics. On a recent trip he visits the Snack Closet attack an unsuspecting bare-
truck, a red and white am- to the San Diego Zoo, he for carrot and celery sticks, foot late at night, but that’s
bulance, a yellow excavator, scampered onto the People peanut butter bites, and fig life. Childhood is fleeting.
a red fire engine, and two -mover took a seat, and belt- newtons. Then it’s Legos and Maybe Nana’s wise teachings
low-slung Formula One ed out “The Wheels on the more space exploration – he will smooth Reid’s transi-
race cars. Who’s responsi- Bus Go Round and Round” has a map showing the solar tion into adulthood when
ble for the rocket launch with appropriate hand mo- system, including the plan- he reaches that door. Until
and all this equipment? tions, much to the delight of ets. Dinner is grilled salmon then, let’s listen to the NASA
That would be a two-foot other passengers. and lettuce on a fresh- announcer. “The twenty-first
tall, reddish brown-haired, Reid and his Nana ly-baked ciabatta – Nana’s Intergalactic Peace Mission
black-eyed heart stealer have an almost symbiotic a world champion baker is ready to visit the Universe.
with a pug nose, round relationship. On frequent – sweet potatoes and green Reid Lawrence Peterson
cheeks, and a smile that overnight visits, Reid’s up beans. Next, a bubble bath, commanding. Five. Four.
stops time. Reid Lawrence before the sun. Nana wraps then Reid, his teeth brushed, Three. Two. One. Blast Off!”
Peterson. My grandson. him in a blanket and takes hair combed, sporting

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