We try to enforce with our grandchildren: no screens except the window screen when driving either on or off Old Mission Peninsula. We savor together long distance glimpses of Grand Traverse Bay, squat cherry trees dressed in seasonal color: petal pink blossoms, red ripe cherries, wispy white snow; vineyards lush with winding vines or beach pounding waves and ripples. They know it’s a twenty minute scenic wonderland before they can pull down the DVD screen, position thumbs for texting, or click their favorite electronic game.
It’s harder when there’s no sweet or sensational scenery. Arriving at a belated family Chinese New Year’s Celebration we noticed the grandsons were quiet and out of sight. (I missed my traditional welcoming hugs, especially.) Seems their uncle had a new “Star Wars” DVD they had discovered. Parking the kids in front of a television is no one’s idea of a celebration so Dad went off to fetch them.
Amid some grumpy looks and long faces, the boys ages 6 and 8 joined the adults. During dinner the long faces disappeared as they practiced mastering delicious new Chinese delicacies with chopsticks, especially smacking their lips over green tea ice cream and chocolate cake.
Their enthusiasm and our enjoyment of their happiness continued as we all wrapped in winter clothing to tromp outside in the middle of a snowstorm for sparklers! Shivering and shaking it wasn’t easy for Dad and their uncle to light those pesky sparklers. But it was worth it: Big smiles, delighted cries, and gleaming luminaries blazed in the blizzardy night. We were all participating in family memories to talk about for years ahead. Better than Star Wars any day.
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