Doing Things Their Way

Abstract Dean’s grandparents’ farm was less than an hour’s drive from the suburb where he lived with his parents. His family didn’t need a holiday, birthday, or anniversary as an excuse to get together, though they never missed one. He loved his grandmother, Edie, but he couldn’t get enough of his grandfather, Nathan. Dean followed him everywhere, and Nathan loved him every minute they were together. Nathan had a way with Dean that made him feel like he was the center of his world. When he played or talked with Dean, Nathan gave him his undivided and rapt attention. He looked at Dean with warm, loving eyes that said he delighted in simply being with him. He drew cartoons while Dean watched and giggled, and he showed him some simple ways to make up his own cartoons. He motioned for Dean to sit beside him when he seemed unhappy or hurt. He had a way of listening that assured Dean that he really understood him. He lifted Dean into his arms or onto his shoulders so he could see what everyone else was seeing. He made up bedtime stories that were better than any in the books his parents read him.