I hear high-pitched screams coming from my bedroom and my ears perk up, waiting for the crying to begin. But instead the screams are followed by ecstatic laughter and I recognize both boys’ crazy giggles as my husband wrestles with them on our bed.
Bed wrestling is a common sport in our house but I don’t participate. I like to sit in the next room and smile.
It reminds me of being 6 years old and the magical few minutes when my dad would pick up one of my little sisters or me and toss us high into the air and onto my double bed. The other two girls would immediately pile on, even though the littlest had to be helped onto the bed. One after another, he’d reach around and pull one of his daughters from his back, toss her onto the bed and then pounce, growling like a wild animal while whomever had just escaped his clutches scrambled onto his back — the squeals of 3 girls mingled with the mad growl of daddy lion.
It’s one of my best childhood memories about my dad — those few minutes of ecstatic chaos. And so I leave this ritual to my husband so his boys will have the same warm, awesome memories of their dad when they’re grown.
Sometimes I’m inspired to grab my computer and chat with the man who, while he could never throw me into the air and onto the bed now, can still lift my spirits.
We don’t live in the same town or even that near each other these days, so I use Skype because while it’s awesome to hear his voice, I need to see him too. And so do the kids. I’ll often ask my 5-year-old, “Where do you want to go today?” And his answer? ”Granddaddy’s house.” If only we could just pop in the car and go to granddaddy’s house.
But at least we can use Skype to see his smile when he says, “How are grandaddies’ babies?” The smile is the best part.
This video about how Skype helps keep families together brought tears to my eyes. Sometimes I’m really grateful for modern technology. I might not live very close to my family anymore but at least I can still feel like I’m there.
Learn more at http://skypestaytogether.com.
DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT: Toulouse & Tonic aims to provide unbiased editorials. However, I wish to disclose that from time to time I may receive free products or other compensation from companies for blogger reviews.
