Dear Reader Column 06-26-15

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Dear Reader,

Today wraps up our Beecher-Family Camp Week. Grandsons, Paul and James, Uncle Jim, my husband Bob and I, all had a great time. No doubt about it. And later this summer we've scheduled a second week of family camp.

Paul and James learned a lot of new things at camp, but Grandma learned a lot, too. I learned that the dinners I create for my family, the little things like setting a fancy table--a tablecloth, folding the napkins, using the good dishes, accenting water glasses with a lemon or lime slice--my family may not say anything about these little things, but they don't go unnoticed. My grandchildren are watching.

Eight-year-old Paul made spaghetti sauce from scratch one evening for dinner. "I'll go outside and cut the oregano and basil from the garden Grandma." And after he mixed tomato sauce and seasonings (he's watched me make spaghetti sauce many times), he announced he was going to set the table. Paul picked out a tablecloth, set down the good plates, a fork, knife, spoon and folded napkin were all placed on the dinner table, styled as if we were eating in a fancy hotel dining room. Water glasses filled, a ceramic tchotchke for a centerpiece.

Day after day, I saw in their actions how much my grandchildren have learned from me. What a good feeling. I am a good grandmother. I try to share a little bit of myself and create memories that will stay with my grandchildren and grown children, all of their lives. I think I'm doing that, and those good feelings will continue to inspire me, especially when I'm thinking I'm just too tired to make the special effort. Is it really all that important? Does anyone really care about the little things? But then I'll remember Beecher-Family Summer Camp, and I'll be reminded that my grandchildren do indeed, notice every single special thing their grandmother does, and they've added those little things to who they are.

I'm a very happy camper! I can't wait until our next Beecher-Family Camp Week. If you missed the photos from camp, go take a look. They'll make you smile. Go to: http://www.emailbookclub.com/photo/camp-2015.html

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]

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Comments

[Dolores]

Oh my, I am blown away with the photos of your grandchildren. I remember before Paul was born, you had asked your readers what name to choose - Paul or Owen(?) I had been a reader of the book club for several years before that. I remember when you and Paul started to bake together - he was three (?) or was he two? Wow, that's been a while.