Our Valley Santa Clarita August 2019 | Page 20

Swimming with my Grandson   Dean Cheeseman – Writer, Blogger, Grandpa   I love my grandson. He’s now 6 years old and just graduated Kindergarten. I love spending time with him and him with me. He tells me about his exciting life and asks why mine isn’t. He always enjoys coming to the home where I live with a bunch of youth-challenged people.   Well, not everyone. There’s one that’s about my age, funny, fit, has all her teeth and is kinda cute. Ok, she’s beautiful, but we’re just good friends. I’m very shy with beautiful unattached women. Ok, women in general, but I digress.   When he visits me, we always try and go swimming. This past year we haven’t had as much time due to his schedule. I didn’t know 6 year old could be so busy. With sports, school and after-school stuff the dude’s booked. He also has a girlfriend* which he likes to remind me of. Sigh!   *He only dates girls over 16, so they can drive. I wonder if his girlfriend has an older Aunt who was a former fitness / swimsuit model. I’m not particular.   Now that summer’s here we’re hitting the pool again. We jump in and he jumps on me. He about broke my back!!  How dare he get bigger the past year! I did too – around the middle.   I always used to throw him up in the air and he would scream and laugh. Now, I scream in pain. He’s heavier and longer. Not only is he heavier to throw, I have to reach higher to get him out of the water! We’re both getting older. Him, in a good way. Me, not so much. I almost called 911*.   *Actually, emergency personnel are here almost every day, so I just need to flag one down.   We spent 3 hours in the pool. In the heat! Moving constantly! Well, he was. I was hardly moving after awhile. I swear he’s part fish. A year ago he couldn’t tread water and wore ‘floaties’. After 3 hours, I could barely float. I needed the ‘floaties’.   We had a great day. I really love the dude. I called his mom to pick him up because I couldn’t move to drive or drive to move.     At least I’m cute and funny... 20