Family Lessons: A Book to Read To, or With, Your Kids and Grandkids

By Steven H. Propp

Who says it's easy to raise kids these days?

Certainly not Nana and Papa, the proud grandparentsand definitely not the parents, other grandparents and great-grandparents, and aunts and uncles of 7-year old Deion and his younger cousins Joshua and Donovan.

But "Life is for learning," and that's just what takes place: whether it's while going to the park, playing on the computer, talking a walk, making music, playing football, eating fast food, playing board games, going to the State Fair, or just doing homeworknot to mention celebrating birthdays, and observing holidays such as Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, the 4th of July, Halloween, and Christmas. The lessons of life may involve the miracle of new birth, or the passing away of a loved onebut they are always shared in a gentle and loving way.

Inspired by the real-life adventures, trials, and tribulations of real-life kids, Family Lessons is a heartfelt celebration of the joy, wonder, and beauty of children, told from the perspective of "Nana" and "Papa Teague"who undoubtedly learn more lessons from their grandchildren than they ever impart to them

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Dec 3, 2006
• ISBN: 9780595864621

Steven H. Propp

Steve Propp and his wife live and work in northern California. He has written many other novels, as well as two nonfiction books (‘Thinking About It,’ and ‘Inquiries: Philosophical.’)

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Copyright © 2006 by Steven H. Propp

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

iUniverse books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

iUniverse

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www.iuniverse.com

1-800-Authors (1-800-288-4677)

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

ISBN-13: 978-0-595-42121-3 (pbk)

ISBN-13: 978-0-595-67974-4 (cloth)

ISBN-13: 978-0-595-86462-1 (ebk)

ISBN-10: 0-595-42121-0 (pbk)

ISBN-10: 0-595-67974-9 (cloth)

ISBN-10: 0-595-86462-7 (ebk)

CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

CHAPTER 1     FAMILY GET-TOGETHER

CHAPTER 2     TAKING A WALK

CHAPTER 3     WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO?

CHAPTER 4     BIRTHDAY PARTY

CHAPTER 5     SPENDING THE NIGHT

CHAPTER 6     I’M BORED

CHAPTER 7     LET’S GO TO THE PARK

CHAPTER 8     I’M VERY PROUD OF YOU

CHAPTER 9     HAPPY EASTER

CHAPTER 10   HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

CHAPTER 11   MOVING DAY

CHAPTER 12   CAMPING IN

CHAPTER 13   FREEDOM DAY

CHAPTER 14   ON HIS OWN

CHAPTER 15   KEEPING IT COOL

CHAPTER 16   MAKING MUSIC

CHAPTER 17   STATE FAIR

CHAPTER 18   FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

CHAPTER 19   SOMEPLACE DIFFERENT

CHAPTER 20   FOOTBALL GAME

CHAPTER 21   UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

CHAPTER 22   HAPPY HALLOWEEN

CHAPTER 23   SAYING GOODBYE

CHAPTER 24   JUST PLAYING

CHAPTER 25   IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE …

CHAPTER 26   MERRY CHRISTMAS

CHAPTER 27   I HATE HOMEWORK

CHAPTER 28   HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY

CHAPTER 29   HOME, SWEET HOME

To my best buddy Devonte*;

To my little partner Joseph;

To mi amigo Dominic;

To angel Mariah;

And to precious Kayla.

Without the inspiration from all of you, a book like this could never even be dreamed of.

Also lovingly dedicated to Danielle and Dee; Keri and Joe—the blessed parents who raise such wonderful, loving kids in a sometimes difficult world …

And also dedicated to Uncle Michael and the rest of the family…whether you are mentioned in the book or not, you are the inspirational background for everything herein.

But especially to my wonderful wife and soul mate Nancy—the loving Nana whose unconditional love binds us all together …

* Whose art work (done when he was five years old) is on the cover of this book …

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

For the love, help, and support of:

My brother-in-law Darrel Buzynskl (who also did the file conversion for the cover!);

My wonderful big sister Susan;

The newlyweds Brade and Jennifer;

My favorite nephew Jason;

My friends and readers at work and elsewhere.

And to my mother, Dorothy S. Propp (1925-2003), whose own loving influence is still with us, every day …

CHAPTER 1

FAMILY GET-TOGETHER

(February 14th, Valentine’s Day)

Papa! Deion cried out, as he ran into the kitchen.

Hey, buddy! I replied, drying off my hands with a towel hanging by the sink, and then bending down to give my beaming 6-year old grandson a hug. You guys are early, I said, and we headed to the living room.

His mother Donnelle said with a smile, Hi, Teague; where’s my Mom?

I pointed to the bathroom door, then replied, She’s taking a shower; we were just finishing cleaning up. Help yourself to something to drink; and there’s some chips and stuff on the TV tray, over there. Oh, and Karen just called, to say that they were running late.

I’m running late, too, because I had to work late; I just picked Deion up from my Dad’s, Donnelle said. She sat down on the couch with a sigh, saying, This is the first chance I’ve had to sit down all day. After a moment to catch her breath, she asked, Did the game start yet?

It started at 7:00 tonight, I think, I replied, handing her the remote control for the television. The first quarter’s probably about half over.

Deion followed me as I returned to the kitchen, and asked, Papa, what are you doing?

Finishing washing the dishes, I replied. I’m almost done; just a few more minutes, and I quickly washed the few remaining dishes, as I asked him, How was school this week?

Good, he replied.

Anything special happen?

We got to take a long recess today, because the teacher said we were good, he replied.

Good for you! I enthused, as I rinsed out the sink and put away my washing sponge. See? When you do good, good things happen to you. Anything else special happen this week?

He was quiet for a moment, and then said, I got in trouble, for hitting Bobby.

Deion! I said, dismayed. Why did you hit him? You know you’re not supposed to hit anybody, especially at school!

Stubbornly, Deion replied, Yeah, but Bobby was hitting my best friend. I told him to stop, and he wouldn’t, so I punched him …

"Deion, it’s nice that you want to stick up for your friends, but you can’t do something that will get you in trouble for it, I said, kneeling down to look at him directly. Why didn’t you just tell the teacher about this boy?"

He shrugged his shoulders, but didn’t reply.

"Like your Mom and Nana always say, you need to make good choices/’ I said, frowning slightly, and standing back up. Was your Mom real mad about it?

Yeah, he replied. Looking down, he said, My teacher called her, and she had to come pick me up from school.

Oh, no, I said grimly. What did she do?

She took me to Papa Damon’s, he said, in a whisper.

Well, good for her, I said. Papa Damon’s a peace officer, you know; what did he tell you?

Deion stayed quiet, his head down, so I suggested, I’ll bet that he told you that you needed to behave, huh? and he nodded his head. "Just remember that we all love you; so no more fighting, OK?"

OK, he agreed.

I asked, How did you do on that homework you called me about?

Good! he said proudly. There’s another boy named Miguel, teacher says him and me are the smartest ones in class. He thought for a moment, then added reluctantly, And three girls, too.

I’m glad to hear that, buddy, I said, smiling. "We want you to do well in school, and to be one of the smartest ones in class. That’s very important."

Where’s my hug? Nana asked, suddenly appearing from around the corner, and wrapping a towel around her hair.

Nana! he screamed with delight, running over to her, as she bent down to hug him.

Family hug! he exclaimed, motioning for me to come over, and the three of us did a brief group hug, just like Deion had seen on TV many times.

Are you hungry, Dink-Dink? Nana asked, moving over to the oven.

Heck, yeah! he replied, following her, as I went into the living room.

You about ready for some chicken? she asked him, taking two pot holders and opening the oven, and removing a large tray of chicken from it.

Whoo-oo! Chicken! he exclaimed, doing a little impromptu dance of happiness.

She placed the tray on the table, and told him, I’ll have your plate and your Mom’s plate ready in five minutes, OK?

Aww … he said, disappointed.

You and Papa go play in the meantime, she suggested, as she busied herself with getting their dinners ready.

I was watching the basketball game on TV in the living room, and Deion came up to me and asked, Papa, can we go play on the computer?

Umm … I replied, doubtfully. I don’t think we have time, buddy; Joshua and Donovan are going to be here pretty soon, and remember what happened the last time we tried to get all of you upstairs playing the computer. Everyone wanted to play with the mouse and the keyboard at the same time, and it just didn’t work out.

He looked disappointed, but didn’t say anything more.

Seeing his downcast expression, I said in a tone of pretended warning, "Well, if you’re going to keep frowning at me, I guess I’ll just have to make you smile …" and I suddenly picked him up from behind, and began swinging him up into the air.

Yeah, baby! he exclaimed each time he reached the top of the cycle. Whoo!

That’s enough, Deion, Donnelle said, concern in her voice. You’re too big to be doing that any more; you’re going to hurt Papa’s back, making him swing you like that.

As I set him back on the floor, he motioned for me to bend over, and he whispered into my ear, Papa … want to play Big-Time Wrestling?

Sure! I whispered back, and followed him into the bedroom adjoining the living room. He immediately climbed up on the king-sized bed, and did a flex—just like the wrestlers on TV presumably did—then held his fists above his head. I’m gonna be Rey Mysterio, he said. And I’m fighting Mark Henry, the World’s Strongest Man.

Raymond Stereo and Mark Henry, huh? You don’t want to be The Rock, any more? Or Batista? I replied, and he shook his head.

No; I like King Booker and Rey Mysterio best, now, he said. And John Cena.

Don’t forget to take your shoes off, I cautioned.

He removed his shoes quickly, and threw them carelessly to the floor.

Picking up his shoes, I said, Now, that’s why we can’t find your shoes, sometimes, when it’s time to go. You should always put your things in a place where you won’t lose them. I placed his shoes right by the door, and said, There; now they’re in plain sight, and we won’t lose them.

Yeah, whatever, he replied impatiently. Going back into his wrestler persona, he announced, It’s time for Smackdown, baby!

I then began to pretend I was the Ring Announcer, and said, Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to another evening of Big-Time Wresting Smackdown! Tonight our first match is between Raymond Stereo, who will be taking on Mark Henry, the World’s Strongest Man!

I looked at Deion with a very serious expression on my face, and asked, Are you ready? He nodded yes, as he bounced lightly on the bed, so I made a motion with my right hand as if ringing a bell, and exclaimed, Ding! Ding! and the match began.

Deion began pantomiming wrestling—throwing punches, putting holds on the other wrestler, and of course frequently deliberately falling down on the mattress, as I kept up a steady commentary: And now it’s Mark Henry who’s pummeling Raymond Stereo with those mighty forearm smashes—ooh, that one had to hurt!—but wait! Raymond Stereo slams Mark Henry to the canvas, and he’s trying to pin him … and he’s pinned down! Mark Henry is pinned! And now the referee counts ‘One,’ ‘Two’ … but at the last second, Mark Henry kicks free, and leaps to his feet, glaring across the ring at Raymond Stereo. Now, the two wrestlers face each other, and begin to advance toward each other once again, and .

"Oh, Lordy; don’t tell me you’re letting him wrestle again, Nana sighed, as she peeked around the corner into the room. Honey, you know he hurt his wrist and had to go to the doctor; he shouldn’t be wresting."

That was a long time ago; he’s not going to get hurt, I replied to her in my normal tone of voice. Besides, we’re just making lots of noise; he’s not really doing anything strenuous.

Well, it’s time to eat, anyway, she said disapprovingly. Come and sit down in the living room, Deion. Your chicken’s ready.

Yeah, baby—chicken! he exclaimed enthusiastically, jumping down and following Nana into the living room.

After he sat down, Nana handed one plate to Deion, and another to his mother.

Thanks, Mom, Donnelle said. Looking over at Deion, she prompted him, So what do you say?

Thanks, Nana! he said gratefully, before picking up a drumstick with barbeque sauce, and attacking it hungrily.

The living room door opened, and Uncle Mitchell entered. He smiled and greeted his sister Donnelle, then walked over to Deion and said, What’s up, man? Gimme five, and they exchanged high fives. Mitchell then went over to his mother and gave her a hug and a kiss, saying Happy Valentine’s Day, Mom, as he handed her a card.

Oh, thank you, honey, she said, holding the card tenderly. Sit down; I’ll get your plate, Nana said, beaming, as she placed the card on top of the TV.

Mitchell sat down on the couch next to his sister, asking, What’s the score?

18-16, Kings are ahead, she replied.

Anybody want anything to drink? I asked.

Nah, I’m good, Mitchell replied.

I’ll take a Pepsi, please, Donnelle asked.

Coming right up, I replied, heading into the kitchen. Seeing Nana busily preparing several plates, I asked, Need any help, sweetheart?

No thanks, she replied, gesturing at the kitchen table. Your plate is right there.

I’ll wait until later, I replied, getting a Pepsi out of the refrigerator. It’s easier for me to eat once the boys are all taken care of.

You need to eat, she insisted.

" You never eat until everyone else is done, even if that’s hours later, I replied with a smile. So you’re not one to talk."

Give this to Mitchell, please, she requested, handing me a plate. And get him an Apple Cider, too, she added.

Whatever my honey asks, I said cheerfully, getting a bottle of Apple Cider from the refrigerator, then heading into the next room.

I handed the plate and bottle of Apple Cider to Mitchell, explaining, Compliments of the chef; if you don’t want it, you don’t have to drink it.

He said, Thanks, then opened it and drank thirstily.

I then handed the Pepsi to Donnelle, who also thanked me.

Suddenly, the living room door swung open again, and Uncle Josh entered, carrying his three-year old son Joshua in his arms, with two backpacks slung over his shoulder. Seeing me, he said to Joshua enthusiastically, There’s the Papa!

As soon as Joshua recognized me, he shouted out happily, Papa Teague!

I went over and took Joshua and hugged him, saying, Hey, partner! How are you doing?

Hi, Papa! Joshua said with a wide smile.

Does Karen need some help? I asked Josh.

She’s got Donnie, so probably, he replied, looking around for a good place to set the two backpacks; I pointed to the side of the smaller couch, and he put them down there.

I put Joshua down and started to head to the door, but Joshua grabbed my leg, wailing, Papa!

Josh smiled and disentangled him from my leg, saying, C’mon, now, buddy; let Papa go help Mom and baby brother. Let’s go say ‘Hi’ to everybody.

I closed the door behind me, and walked down the steps.

Karen was getting Donovan (who we all call Donnie) out of their SUV. I called out, I’ll get him, Karen, and I came around to take the 1/-year old from her arms.

Oh, thanks, Teague, she said. Now I can get the rest of their stuff, and only make one trip. She grabbed several of the boys’ favorite stuffed animals, and a large but very thin package, as I headed back to the house carrying Donovan. We waited on the porch until she locked the vehicle and approached the steps herself, before going inside.

"How are you, amigo?" I asked Donnie.

Papa, he said contentedly, snuggling into my shoulder.

It’s good to see you, big boy, I said, patting him on the back. Nana and I missed you guys.

As we entered the house, Donovan squealed with joy as he saw Uncle Mitchell, Auntie Donnelle, and his cousin Deion.

Uncle Mitchell stood up and came over to us, saying to Donovan, What’s happening? and he attempted to lead Donovan in giving him a high five—with only limited success.

Donnie, come to Auntie! Donnelle said, smiling and holding out her hands to him.

Teague, I need you in the kitchen, please, Nana called out.

Be right there, my darling, I replied, shifting Donovan in my arms awkwardly, as Joshua was pulling at my leg and asking me to pick him up, too.

Mom! Donnelle said. He’s got the boys all over him, and you want him in the kitchen?

Yeah, Mom; you should give the poor man a break, Karen agreed.

"Now, now: my honey’s slightest wish is my pleasure," I said to them with a smile, handing Donovan to his Auntie Donnelle, and heading to the kitchen.

Donovan started crying immediately after this change, and his aunt said in a teasing voice, What? What’s with all this crying? Doesn’t Auntie get a kiss? and she proceeded to plant tiny kisses all over his face, which made him squirm and squeal with laughter, then grip her neck happily, as she rocked him back and forth.

As I entered the kitchen, Nana pointed to three plates, and said, Give that one to Joshua, that one to Karen and Donnie, and that one to Josh. I left the kitchen with the three plates precariously balanced in my hands.

Uncle Mitchell and Josh were engaged in a passionate discussion about the relative merits of the two basketball teams playing, while the two sisters were discussing their respective childrearing joys and woes.

As I handed Joshua his plate, he asked, Papa, we play computer?

I shook my head and said, Not right now, partner; you need to eat dinner, first. We’ll play something else later. He looked disappointed, as I went to give his father Josh a plate.

As Josh took the plate from my hand, he pointed to the TV and said, Look, Papa, did you see that? The Kings haven’t got any defense, same as last year!

Our best defender is coming back from Injured Reserve in another week or two, I countered. Give them a chance.

You’ll see, Uncle Mitchell said confidently. The Kings are going all the way this year!

I handed Karen her plate (that she would share with Donnie), and asked what everyone wanted to drink. After they made their requests, I went back to the kitchen, returning with two bottles of water for the adults and three juices for the boys, which I handed out.

I returned to the kitchen, and told Nana, You need eat something, too, honey.

After I get the kids squared away, she replied. Pointing at my plate, she said, I need to heat your plate up; it’s cold.

Smiling, I said, Nana, you should know by now that a ‘cold’ plate doesn’t matter to me; I’m not someone who’s fussy about food.

Then you’d better eat while the boys are all occupied, she said, wearily.

I’ll handle things in here, honey, I assured her. You go eat with the boys and your kids, while you have the chance. I gave her a kiss on the cheek and asked, What do you want to drink?

Just water, she replied gratefully, wiping sweat from her forehead.

Go ahead; I’ll bring it to you, I promised, opening the refrigerator as she took her plate into the living room, and sat down.

As I walked into the living room carrying Nana’s bottle of water, Deion motioned for me to come over to him. When I did, he gestured for me to lean down, and he whispered into my ear, Papa, can I have some ice cream?

Ask your Mom, I replied instinctively, which caused his expression to turn into an immediate frown.

She’ll say ‘Not now,’ he replied, pouting.

I said encouragingly, We’ve got some sugar-free ice cream bars; maybe she’ll let you have one of those, if you clean your plate, first. He picked up his fork, and began eating his remaining food with renewed vigor.

I opened Nana’s bottle of water and placed it on the end table next to her, then headed back to the kitchen. As I passed by him, Donnie reached out for me, saying Papa! Pick up!

"Hey, amigo," I said, without paying much attention to him. Seeing that Deion had cleaned his plate, I asked Donnelle, Can Deion have an ice cream bar? It’s sugar free.

She looked over at Deion’s plate and saw that it was clean, and said to him, OK, one ice cream bar, and he shouted, Yay!

I picked up Deion’s plate, and headed back to the kitchen with it, putting the empty dish to soak in the sink. I got an ice cream bar out from the freezer and unwrapped it, then went back into the living room and handed it to Deion, who proceeded to eat it with gusto.

Papa! Donnie wailed, as I walked by him again. Pick up!

In a minute, Donnie, I replied tersely, heading back to the kitchen. I started to clean up the kitchen, and put all the dishes to soak.

Suddenly I heard Donnie’s unmistakable wail, Papa! followed by the sounds of him crying, which made me peer guiltily around the corner and into the living room.

Why are you crying? Josh asked his youngest son. Papa’s in the next room; he’ll be back in a little while.

Oh, he just got his little feelings hurt, Donnelle said with a sympathetic smile, patting him on the shoulder. Go on and eat the rest of your chicken, Donnie, she encouraged him, but he just shook his head, big tears rolling down his cheeks.

I quickly dried my hands off with a towel and went into the living room, and picked Donovan up. "I’m sorry, amigo; I kept putting you off, didn’t I? I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings," I said to him apologetically.

He didn’t say anything, but had a genuinely hurt expression on his face.

Come on, let’s go feed the fishy; that usually cheers you up, I suggested. His face perked up at the word fishy, and I carried him over to the smaller couch that was in front of the aquarium.

As I placed him down on the couch and reached for the small container of fish food, he exclaimed, Me!

OK, you can feed the fishy, I agreed. Placing a pinch of food on the lid of the fish food container, I handed it to him, then opened the top to the aquarium, and said, Pour it in there, now.

He emptied the food into the tank, and I closed the top of the aquarium, then took the lid from his hand and put it back on the fish food container, as he stared at the single angelfish in the tank with rapt attention.

Pointing at the fish as it came from hiding behind a plastic rock to go to the surface, I said, See? He’s eating it!

This exclamation attracted Joshua’s attention, so he got up and came over to join us at the couch.

He eating! Joshua said enthusiastically, looking at the fish. He poked his finger at the fish, tapping the glass, which scared the fish—so it immediately swam away behind the rock again.

Don’t scare him, I cautioned. Or else he’ll hide, and we won’t be able to see him. We watched the fish for a minute or two, and it finally came cautiously out from behind the rock again, and resumed searching for the food that was falling from the surface of the tank.

Fishy big! Joshua observed.

Yeah, he is, I agreed. Do you remember how tiny he was when I first got him? Now he’s a lot bigger; he’s growing up, just like you two are.

Joshua, come get some crackers, Nana said, holding out a bag of his favorites. He jumped up immediately, and ran over to her.

Donovan suddenly became bored with watching the fish, so he turned around and sat down on the couch, and I sat next to him.

I said to him gently, "I’m sorry I was busy in the kitchen earlier, amigo; I shouldn’t worry about doing the dishes until after you guys leave. I need to remember that even though you and your brother and your cousin are small, you still have feelings, just like any of us have."

Something suddenly occurred to him, and he looked up at me and asked excitedly, Jump?

I smiled at him, and said, Sure! Let me go get the jumper thing, and I got up to go retrieve our small trampoline, with Donnie following closely after me.

Papa! Deion said, as we walked by him.

Come on, you can play with us, I invited, and he jumped up from the couch.

I brought the trampoline from the hallway into the living room, and then placed it in front of the smaller couch. Donnie immediately climbed up on it. I held both of his hands to steady him, and he began jumping enthusiastically up and down, smiling and laughing as he did.

Can I do it with him? Deion asked.

I nodded, and Deion got up on the trampoline with Donnie, taking his hands, and the two of them jumped up and down together, laughing with excitement.

Me, too! Joshua said, getting up from the couch and running over to join us.

Nana looked at us and said to me doubtfully, Teague, they’re going to fall down and hurt themselves.

I won’t let them fall, Nana; trust me, I assured her, as I steadied Donnie’s back.

Nobody ever listens to me, she lamented, leaning back in her chair.

Do you need help with them? Karen asked, concern in her voice.

I shook my head and said, "No, thanks; we’re