Rollin' with the flow

Had a nice visit with Granddad last night. At first I thought he was in a foul mood…cussing everything from the gal he thinks might be stealing food from the retirement home to the democrat party in general. At one point he pointed to a spot on the floor and told me the “help” was stealing his macadamia nuts: that crushed nut on the carpet was his proof.

I asked if it wasn’t possible that he might have dropped one on his lap when HE was eating them, and it rolled onto the floor when he stood up, but he refused to entertain the possibility. I didn’t want him to get testy on me so I let it drop.

We sat there in silence for a few minutes while I tried to think of something to talk about that was a little more positive. I finally decided at the ripe old age of 93, he’s earned the right to complain about anything he likes. I just need to learn to roll with it.

Inspired, I leaned forward and showed him a stain on my pants leg.

“What’s that?” he asked.

“Bubblegum!” I announced, outraged. Then I told him about my dinner at IHOP the night before and how I figure someone must have put their gum on the bench where my leg was, disgusting!

That set him off on the thoughtlessness of people and we didn’t have a lag in the conversation after that.

He really is a cool old man. And I learn something about life in general every time we visit. ;-)