by Dana Wineland O’Rourke, contributing writer
From sippy cups to Stanley cups; Six Cousins, One Gram, and a Summer sleepover surprise
This summer, our nine-year-old granddaughter Gianna expressed how much she wanted to have an all-cousin sleepover at my house before everyone headed back to school. I never want to disappoint her but explained that while it was a nice thought, the chance of getting everyone together for that was iffy at best.
She and her eleven-year-old brother Kaden are always on the go with athletics and activities. Their four cousins: three teens and a college senior juggle work schedules, busy social lives, and sports. Finding a date to accommodate all six seemed impossible.
And then August 1 came.
My husband made sure I was home that Friday afternoon. When our doorbell rang, I expected to see a package delivery or a neighborhood kid selling candy bars. It was a kid alright, but instead of a box of candy bars, she was holding a duffle bag. And it wasn’t a neighbor, it was Gianna.
“Hi, Gram!” she said with a smile, staring at the surprised look on my face. “Can I sleep over?”
“Well, of course you can, but where is your family?” I asked. She was alone, and there was no car in sight.
As I walked onto the porch, I heard laughter and commotion. Seconds later, just like the Von Trapp children in the Sound of Music, a parade of kiddos, youngest to oldest, came up the driveway and stairs, carrying pizza and duffle bags.
I held the door open and one by one, the six said their ‘hellos’ as they made their way into the living room where my husband sat with a grin. Their pap knew they had coordinated a sleepover, and everyone wanted to surprise me.
Mission accomplished!
I came to learn that after numerous texts, they found a good date. Three vehicles met at a local grocery store, then parked around the corner. Everyone made their way to the bottom of the driveway where they could stay hidden. Our son Dan recorded the surprise, much to my delight!
They’ve all slept over many times in various combinations, but this was a first, and it was wonderful.
After pizza, card games, and conversations, our oldest grandson chose a movie for the gang, Toy Story.
I scanned the room and focused for a moment on each of them sprawled around the living room under blankets, eating snacks and ice cream.
There were iPads on the floor where baby dolls and blocks once laid. Popcorn and chips are preferred over old favorites, graham crackers and Goldfish. Stanley cups with pink drinks and ice water replaced the sippy cups of apple juice and milk that used to wait for little hands to grab them.
This grandmother sat quietly, and soaked it all in.
Our oldest grandchild Karli gave out hugs before she had to leave for an event. The last to enter the house that afternoon, she happily announced, “The gangs all here!” How many twenty-two-year-olds would shuffle plans for an all-cousin sleepover? There is something special about the first grandchild. They open your heart to a greater love.
All the beds and the couch were full that night. Our teens: Brady, Quinnlynn, and Murphy, grabbed their phones before their heads hit their pillows and were soon Facetiming with friends. It was nice hearing laughter and whispers again from where their dad Tim once slept.
Our littles still enjoy a cuddle and short story, but I realize those days are numbered. They aren’t so little anymore.
Pap did an early morning grocery run and I soon had all four burners going with bacon. One by one they entered the kitchen foraging for breakfast favorites, certain there would be donuts. There were plenty.
In less than twenty-four hours the all-cousin sleepover was over. The teens headed home due to work schedules. The littles relished extra grandparent time on their own.
I popped my head in her dad’s old bedroom as Gianna was packing to go home and heard her giggle.
“What are you laughing at, sweetie?” I asked.
“Oh, nothing, she replied, I’m just happy.”
“Happy you got your big sleepover?” I smiled.
“It was for you, too, Gram,” she proudly replied.
She was correct on many levels. Their happiness is my happiness, too.
Childhood is a fleeting melody, and mothers and grandmothers don’t get to sing nearly enough lullabies to satisfy our hearts. Perhaps that’s why memories become more precious as time goes by, and we love to sing the praises of our children and grandchildren.
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About the author: Freelance writer Dana Wineland O’Rourke retired after wearing the many hats required for her position as a school secretary for 30 years. A lifelong resident of Monongahela, Dana has been married to Tim for 46 years. Their two sons and daughters-in-law made the family an even dozen with six grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with family, traveling, gab & grubs with friends, biking, and fitness classes at the YMCA.
