An Ode To Nana & Pa

by Lij, sentiments shared by Dylan, translated into discernable words by Mama

Your house is better than my house.
There are doggies
And a pool
And toys I’ve never seen before.
I sleep on a big pillow bed
And eat whipped cream on spaghetti.

Your arms are full of hugs.
Your pantry is full of treats –
You have Kool-Aid and Jell-O
And fudgy popsicles.
I go to the store –
Just me and Nana.
Pa and I cook waffles
And no one reminds me not to make a mess.

You say prayers with me
And play with me.
I couldn’t talk Nana into the pool
But she took me outside in a rainstorm
And we found the biggest puddles to jump in
Together.

The whole way home I used my broken English
(Yes, it is my first language)
To profess my undying love for you:
“Me see Pa Nana mo, mo!”
(I want to see Pa and Nana more, more!)
My parents aren’t that bright –
They took me home instead.

And so today when I realized you weren’t here
At my house
I was sad –
And at times downright mad –
Because you spend time with me
And love me
And I miss you when you’re not near.
Is it any wonder then
That I love you right back?