Magic Pockets

When I arrived, in the city where my daughter lives, school was not yet out for the holidays. My eldest grandchild who recently turned six was off to school.

One morning, my daughter, my younger grand daughter, who is not yet in regular school, and I were off to get groceries with a bundle buggy. I have been told I am "shopping impaired", so I have great sympathy for everyone, especially small children who do not consider shopping a positive event.

As any faraway grandma would do, I tried to make the outing as happy as I could. Yes, we went to McDonalds. Yes, we bought a Happy Meal. Yes, the Happy Meal had a hula hoop swirling Hello Kitty inside.  On discovering this, yes I bought a Happy Meal for myself so both girls would have such an amazing treasure.

Later that afternoon mother and daughter got ready to pick up the young scholar. Little sister begged to take her sister her Hello Kitty. In downtown Toronto, most outside playing takes place after school is let out. The children race about the yard and scramble over the playground equipment, as parents and caregivers stand by and watch. A community of people from all corners of the world begins to build. I thought this was no place for the distraction of Hello Kitty. I said no.

When they arrived at the school, the little one rushed to her sister and presented her with a Hello Kitty still in its plastic wrap. The three year old looked at her mother earnestly and said she just put her hand in her pocket and it was there by magic.

.... to be continued