THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, August 9, 1994 TAG: 9408090058
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
LAST APRIL, I asked my granddaughter Lauren, who was nearing her 12th birthday, if she would like to go shopping with me for her birthday present.
Because she was nearing adolescence, I thought that she and I would spend the day together, searching for a special dress.
As the mother of four sons, any frills and lace found in my house for years belonged only to me. So, from the day Lauren was born, I enjoyed shopping for the prettiest dresses I could find for her and, later, for her younger sister, Erin.
I was never a tomboy. I loved dolls, fancy dresses, pink nail polish, and I could hardly wait to use my first tube of lipstick.
Before we left her house that Saturday, however, Lauren surprised me by saying that she really needed shorts and T-shirts.
``Would that be all right?'' she asked.
Although a little disappointed, I told her that it was her birthday and I wanted her to be happy.
As we waved goodbye, I noticed 6-year-old Erin standing at the door, watching us wistfully. I went back, gave her a hug and told her I would do the same for her when her seventh birthday rolled around in July. She hugged me back, grinned, and didn't forget.
Shortly before her birthday, I drove by to pick her up. My daughter-in-law had mentioned that Erin needed a dress for Sunday school and I was delighted. Together, she and I would search for an extra special one.
I decided to forgo the fast-food establishments and took Erin to an up-scale hotel for lunch. However, I opted for the coffee shop, knowing that instead of dainty watercress sandwiches, she would prefer . . . you guessed it, a hot dog and potato chips.
Later, we drove to Suffolk, where I had already taken a survey of party dresses the day before at a children's apparel shop. Because Erin isn't particularly fond of long rides in a car, we played a game called ``I See Something,'' in which one names the color of an object and the other guesses what it is. Trying to watch the road and find the chosen pink, green or red object Erin had chosen was a challenge.
Erin also entertained me with a song she had learned at school.
``Three little muffins in a bakery shop,'' she sang. ``You know, the ones with the honey and the nuts on top. . . .''
We talked and laughed and the time passed quickly, but unfortunately none of the dresses I had admired the day before were quite right. So, we were soon back on the road, singing and laughing, and heading for the nearest mall.
We hurried to the children's section and began to look at dresses. I had spied a white organdy frock trimmed in pale blue when suddenly Erin spotted something she liked better.
``Oh, a jeans skirt,'' she cried excitedly. ``Could I have this . . . please? Lauren has one.''
I'll admit I was a little disappointed when I realized that the idea of buying a frilly dress had been dropped. But we quickly found a flowered knit shirt, a tan leather belt, a charm bracelet (just like Lauren's) and a pair of denim tennis shoes decorated with a western motif.
Driving home, I thought about how quickly the girls are growing up. Well, maybe we would buy a dress next time.
When I walked her to her front door, Erin suddenly turned and hugged me tightly.
``I love my presents,'' she said.
And then came the real clincher.
``You're the best grandma. I wish we could do this every day!''
I had made Erin happy! Isn't that what it's all about? by CNB