Gerry Griffiths

Memories of My Three Sons

I'm a grandmother, and I'm thinking of years past when I was raising my
three sons. Happy times, and sad times. I remember my third son, Joe, he was really an imp. At about age three (?) he loved taking bubble baths by himself. He liked to stay in the tub by himself and then I would go in and check on him. I was busy doing something else, when I remembered to go and check on him-- and I panicked! I don't remember why I panicked, but I did. I went screaming his name, as I ran to the bathroom, there was the tub, there were all the bubbles, but no Joe. I screamed, "Oh my God, oh my God!" Up pops Joe's
head, a happy smile and a happy face, and I said, "Oh Lord, Thank You, thank you, He's fine!"  Another time, Joe comes screaming into the house, "Mom, I cut my tongue!" He sticks out his tongue and there's blood all over it. When Joe sees that I am starting to panic, he confesses. "Mom, it's only food coloring!"
    And yet and other incident, He had just come out of the small pool in the back yard and I told him to go In the house and take off his wet bathing suit. He did what I told him but he comes out of the house, feeling free as a bird with nothing on. And the story about Bob, my second son. Bob was only six when riding on his bicycle he was struck by a car. His brother MIke came home to tell  me. I ran socks on my feet to where Bob was lying in the street. My feet wouldn't move. "Come on! Come on feet! Go!" It was as if I was watching
myself in slow motion trying to run. I finally got there. The ambulance
came and we went to the hospital. The medics couldn't get a pulse
reading from him. It didn't look good. The surgeon operated, did a lot of removing and patchwork on his intestines. Bob looked bad. I never did see anyone looking so sick. He was a sad, unhappy little boy and I was a sad and unhappy mother. Bob was very sick and I could write a book about what else took place during his recovery period. Mike, my first born. Mike had to go through all the first of everything with a new mom. Mike deserves a medal. Mike was the serious one, more caring. He worried over us when we were sick. Mike stayed in the house and
watched over his brother during the months of his recuperation. Mike was there when I was not feeling well. He would say, "Mom, would you like tea and toast now?" And I would say, "Thanks, MIke." And I remember all the little happy things. The little bouquets of flowers picked for me, the little notes saying "Mommy, I love you," and the Happy Birthday surprise party for me. Yes, I remember back to those days and my three sons.
    Now, I'm a grandmother and my three sons are married with families of their own. And, yes, they are still my three sons.