We visited our grandchildren this past weekend, a pre-Christmas warm-up focused on our son Robb’s 34th birthday. Of course I was looking forward to some grandpa time with my favorite two-year-old, Christian. I was also really looking forward to further getting to know our seven-month-old granddaughter, Aubrey.
Our son, Robb, and daughter-in-law, Anne, went out to an event Friday night; Bonnie and I stayed with Christian and Aubrey, bathed them, and got them in bed. The next morning, Robb and Anne went out to breakfast so we again enjoyed the grandkids by ourselves for a few hours.
Later that evening, when Robb and Anne were tucking in the kids, Bonnie and I sat together on a couch. I looked at her and said, “I’m tired.” I reviewed the day, noting the activities. There was no walk to the park, no climbing on playground equipment, no running back and forth with Christian pushing toy lawnmowers, no animal crawling. Mostly we paid full attention to the kids, went up and down the stairs numerous time, carried a larger or smaller child here and there and, most notably for me, scooted and reached around on the floor playing Hot Wheels races with Christian and got up and down from the floor time and again (and again!) for both children. It wasn’t “animal” movement; it was simple young human movement. No Turkish Get-Ups are needed when you hold a seven-month-old to your chest while sitting on the floor and keep her there while negotiating standing up! I noted to Bonnie there is a reason why the Grand Design gives small children to people when they are young.
On Saturday morning I asked Christian about going downstairs to play and exercise with grandpa. He preferred to take some of his “tablet time” so I headed downstairs solo for some “grandpa time.” I wanted to take part in my structured, planned session for the day, which at the moment is the GMB Fitness Integral Strength program.
What I like about the GMB programs is that they focus on me being able to move and support my body as just me and my body, which can be plenty for someone of any age. Their approach helps me “own my body.” It’s also scalable so that people of a variety of capabilities can follow the programs, feel accomplished and get benefit. If you can’t crawl around, you can at least try to support yourself on your hands and knees, or some other adaptation, some even using a chair. Just getting down onto and up from the floor several times a session can be a benefit to someone if that’s your place. (Sounds like playing with grandkids, to me.) The GMB stuff helps me enjoy using my body and gets me more ready for life as a grandpa. That, briskly walking my dog, and maybe carrying some heavy stuff every now and then.
I had forgotten to bring along any shorts or sweats. Since I was still wearing pajamas I decided that changing into jeans and a t-shirt was unnecessary. So, I did the session “Bruce Lee Christmas-y” style; watch the highlight reel and see what I mean.
If I don’t reach out again in the next short while, I wish each of you happy holidays, a merry Christmas, and best wishes as we begin a new year.
Grandpa Mode 