I cherished my visit to grandson Leroy

It melted my heart every time my little towheaded grandson Leroy came running toward me saying, “Papa!” followed by “Up!” I would scoop him up into my arms as he smiled broadly.

It had been six months since I saw the little guy at Thanksgiving, and my visit to daughter Danielle and her family in Ohio over the weekend was special and very much needed.

There are few things more wonderful than a 2-year-old grandchild. (Well, Leroy is almost 2, about 21 months old now.) Yes, toddlers can be cranky, finicky with their food and mercurial with their moods, but the world is opening up to them as they learn and grow and experience new things. And for a grandfather it’s truly marvelous.

I’ve always been told that being a grandparent is one of the best things there is in life, and I am finding that to be true. Parents are busy running the household, taking care of myriad things, handling responsibilities and disciplining, while a grandpa can simply enjoy.

The old joke is that grandparents can “spoil them and hand them back,” but that’s not exactly the case. I don’t want to be known as the gift giver but rather as the guy who will simply love him, support him and, at some point, tell the family stories.

It filled me with joy to simply watch Leroy play, carrying tiny buckets of water from a little plastic raised pool to a toy dump truck and then tilting the bed as the water ran out. Water still in the scoop at the front of a toy loader? No problem. Put your face down and drink it up.

“Gross!” I joked, to which Dani replied, “There’s no stopping it.” He also enjoyed digging up dirt with his bare hands and carrying the dirt to the little pool and dumping it in. True, it fouled the water, but it must have been fascinating to the little guy to watch the dirt dissolve into the now slightly cloudy water.

Oh, and he loves to mow the lawn with his toy mower and move the patio furniture around. I doubt if he’ll be that enthusiastic when he’s, say, 14.

All boy. So busy working away in his own little world, a look of concentration on his tiny face, trotting from one spot to another engaged in his important tasks.

He loves to be read to. I brought him five toddler age books, three on Wyoming – the place of his family roots – and two on baseball, the very best sport. He would often choose his own book – or two or three – and climb onto my lap to listen and watch the colorful pages turning, especially enjoying the interactive books, where he could lift a flap to find the purple dinosaur or whatever.

What wonders children are, truly a gift from God. At nearly 2, little Leroy is so innocent, so pure, so fun loving, so curious and so loving. To see him hug his momma is divine. And the effect he had on me during my way too short four-day visit? Simple joy.

I wonder: What kind of world will he grow up in? Will he grow into a world torn by division and hatred, devoid of respect and understanding, as our nation is experiencing today? Will it beat him down? Or with the guidance of his family, will he be able to rise above it all, learning patience, tolerance and respect and a willingness to understand and see things through the eyes of another. Will he know love, grace and forgiveness?

I am fully confident that Dani and Mitch will raise him the right way. They are kind, patient, respectful and loving. And if, as grandparents, Susan and I can play a role, so much the better.

All I know is that I cherished my time with Leroy, Dani and Mitch, and I already miss the little guy. FaceTime is great, but there’s just nothing like being there. For those of you who have daily access to your grandchildren, appreciate every moment. And for those who live far away from their kids and grandkids, I feel your pain.