knowing I have an influence on my grand kids can take many forms!

I've had the joy and excitement of having my two grand daughters come and spend a week with me during the past two summers in upstate New York.   Last year we went to Niagra Falls and other things, and this summer a week of non stop activities.
During both times, I tried to sit with them and talk with them about "life stuff" and just some simple things that they, and anyone, can do to make their lives better, happier, and healthier.

Sometimes when you talk to small children about life lessons you wonder how much they are really absorbing and how much they are just taking with a grain of salt from an old man?   This summer I taught them, among other things, how to remember and never forget the names of the Great Lakes, just using the word HOMES.   They still remember.

I also taught them about opening doors, and just showed them when we're somewhere to try and grab the handle by the bottom where fewer people's hands have likely touched it.  Or, if there are two doors, to open the door on the left, since fewer people are left handed.

Well?  I guess it would make sense then if there were two doors, to not only open the left door, but also the bottom of the handle on the left door.     I hadn't thought about suggesting that also.

Last week, their mom texted me and said my counsel had been put into action.   They were going into some store and my youngest Grand Daughter, Vivi, went to open the door and remarked, and quite seriously, at the time, that "she was likely to encounter dog germs at that level rather than human germs."     I had to laugh and still laugh.

But I guess sometimes the message does get through.   smiling