Walking With Papa

When I was a kid, my brother and I would visit my grandparents, often at their cottage, and the two of us would be Papa's shadows a lot of the time.  Whether he was going fishing, collecting wood, or digging in the dirt, he was always outside and definitely always interesting.

He was the one who taught us how to fire a shotgun, how to wield an axe, how to bait a fishing line.  He was funny, always telling jokes and singing songs.  He taught us how to drive an ATV, a boat, a snowmobile and eventually was the one who taught me how to drive a car.

One thing we used to do is go for a walk in the bush.  Papa would give each of us a walking stick and we'd crunch through the fallen leaves and twigs or in the snow, depending on the time of year.  He told us if we were quiet enough, we might see some birds or animals.  He mimicked the call of the Chickadee and kept his eyes open for unusual things he could point out to us.

Once, we happened upon a snake eating a frog and watched in wonder as the lumpy toad made it's way down the gullet of the snake, jumpy little legs sticking out of the snake's mouth.  It was disgusting and awesome and I think my brother and I, little Toronto kids, asked Papa a million questions.  He laughed his head off when we ran back to recount the story to Granny as she cringed.  Her fear of snakes is as great as their love for their grandchildren.

Saturday morning, my husband Daren and I took the boys to a nearby forest and went for a hike.  It was very much untouched territory and I felt a little guilty at every snap under my feet.  We found water and sat quietly, listening to the birds and the bugs twitter around us.  I found walking sticks for the boys and they walked a little taller, thinking they had been given some sort of responsibility.

The familiar scent of maples and oaks, the musty scent of the damp leaves, tiny fistfuls of acorns, the questions from little minds spinning wildly - it all brought back memories of walking with Papa.  I can't wait to take the boys up to see Granny and Papa again this summer to create more memories.

This is an original post to Canada Moms Blog. Web Designer Karen Rani Bodkin also blogs at Craftastrophe, "because handmade isn't always pretty."