Sometimes I am so goal oriented that people get in the way. And I said I never wanted to be that way.
The heavens rolled back in Waxhaw Tuesday afternoon and, after two days of cloud cover and rain, we were blessed with bright, light blue Carolina skies. The sun was shining and people were happy. And Anne and I saw our opportunity! Seed the lawn today, for rain is coming for the next two or three days. NOW is the time! Don’t miss this opportunity!
Laura was on the tractor mower, cutting the lawn before I seeded. Anne was raking or using the power push mower to cut small sections of grass. I was seeding and watching Luke at the same time, careful to keep him away from the mowers. Of course Luke, a little boy being the little boy that he is, would reach in the seeder, grab a handful of seed, and throw it – either on the driveway or in Anne’s 4×4 garden plot – anywhere but the lawn! (Anne doesn’t know this yet but I’ll sure she’ll figure it out when grass starts growing in around her plants). “But, that’s not where it goes Luke”, I told him, “throw it on the lawn. Throw it right here,” pointing to an orange-ish colored bare spot where grass should be.
Then ‘Lil Luke suddenly became afraid of the mowers. Each time either Laura or Anne started the mower engine, Luke would run to me with up-stretched arms and eyes wide with fear.
I worked around Luke while watching over him knowing that mowers were nearby, but always with the goal in mind – gotta plant seed for this is the day! Then it suddenly hit me – “Ken, you said Luke would never get in your way, that he would never become a bother.” And, here I was focusing on the task, not my grandson. Although I didn’t consider Luke a bother at that point, my 20 month old grandson certainly wasn’t my focus.
I changed directions. I picked Luke up and started carrying him while pushing the seeder. It was a challenge, especially given our sloping lawn. But, we talked and giggled throughout the time. And when the wheelbarrow became full with grass clippings, Luke and I jumped at the chance. Here is the result.
I pushed Luke around the yard, eventually dumping the grass in the mulch pile. Luke loved it and so did I.
Just a reminder, people before projects.
The Haugh Herald 