Bird Brain
I’m the type of Grandma that loves to hear from my grandkids. Although they live three thousand miles away, I’m always able to talk with them by phone. My four granddaughters are all under the age of three, so our conversations are limited to counting, ABC’s, or singing the itsy-bitsy-spider. Charlie however, is going into second grade this year and is able to talk…nonstop. (No, he does not take after his grandma!)
However, during the month of July I usually
don’t hear from Charlie because he spends the summer with his dad in
“Grandma Pama, I want a Toucan. Do you gots one?” (Too cute…I picture him eating lots of Fruit-Loop cereal at his dads’ house.)
“No Honey, I don’t have a Toucan, but I do have two big Macaws, Popeye is blue and gold, and Scarlet is red and yellow.” I went on to tell Charlie that I’ve had Popeye and Scarlet for 17 years. I explained how I raised them from babies, how I can hold them, and all the words they say. Now Charlie really wants one of my birds.
I assured my precious grandchild that he did not have to worry that these type of parrot’s can live a long-long time, (70+ years) and if he is interested in having any of my pet birds I will make sure he gets them when I’m gone.
To be honest, I’m so pleased that someone finally wants my beloved-feathered pets. Please…when my kids where living at home they hated the squawking, sunflower throwing little devils, and have made it clear to me that they do NOT want my birds when I die. What a relief to have Charlie interested.
However, this past weekend my daughter called. “Mom!” I immediately recognized her ticked-off-tone over the phone. “Charlie called me this morning.” Then in that you’re-in-trouble-mom-pitch that she learned from me, she said, “Mom, he asked about…you!”
Refusing to feel guilty for what she may or may not know, I replied, “Oh, how sweet is that?” In my gut, I knew Charlie had blabbed, so I took the bull by the horns, and jumped in with both feet.
“Honestly Keelyn, Charlie called a couple weeks ago. I did not say he could have the bird right away. I said later. You know that my parrots will live forever and not of you kids want my birds. Actually, I’m thrilled someone wants them. And I promise I was not going to ship any birds to your house. I didn’t do it with any of my dogs (even though you guys need one) and I promise I won’t do it with a bird. Gawd…there’s no reason to get all mad at me.”
No Mom! She yelled into the phone. “Charlie called me first thing this morning and asked…is Grandma Pama dead yet?”
