My husband and I had the three grandchildren (two boys and a girl) over for summer vacation last year (2006).

One day, as the other two children played outside, Mikey, the third grandchild and middle grandson (4 years old) came into the kitchen where I was preparing their lunch. He sat at the table and stared at me. I said, "Honey, I'm not finished preparing lunch yet. Why aren't you outside playing with your brother and sister?"

After a pause, he said, "Nanny, you have to tell me you're sorry." I said, "Sorry? Sorry for what, honey?" That's when he said, "You killed me Nanny! You killed me when I was big!"

I tried to hide my shock so as not to frighten him. I asked, "I did? Why, honey? Why did I kill you?" He answered, "Don't you remember? I owed you money!" I told him, "Oh dear! I'm sorry, honey. How did I kill you?" Mikey then said, "You killed me with a knife!"

I asked him, "What did you look like?" He said, "Well, I was big and I looked like I look now." I then asked, "What did I look like?" He closed his eyes, as if he was trying to recall a long lost memory and said, "Well, you were big too, but you were a man; that's right, you were a big man!"

I apologized profusely to him, and he seemed to be satisfied with my apology. He gave me a hug, thanked me for apologizing and went outside to play with his siblings as if nothing had happened!

Later that week, I spoke to a Buddhist acquaintance and told him what had transpired between my grandson and me. The Buddhist told me that it was good that I apologized to my Mikey, because he could have come back for revenge!

Frankie
Please respond to john@beyondreligion.com

Posted May 25, 2007