My week by Francis gay

Stepping out for some fresh air, Suddenly along the way, I had to smile as I espied, A burst of white amid the grey. A simple little pleasure, So lifted up my day, Finding my first snowdrops, Growing in bright array.

Sometimes it’s the little things you notice the most when you go from one country to another. Like the slightly different ingredients in familiar brands of food.

Four-year-old Vickie had come from Whyalla in Australia to visit her grandparents in Stirling. The family were tired when they got there, but they were still up for an old-fashioned supper of cheese on toast.

Tired as she was, little Vickie noticed a difference.

Eyelids drooping, she murmured, “I like the groceries you have here, grandma Jane. Is this sprinkled with your love?”

“Well...,” said Jane (after getting past the lump telling me about it had brought to her throat), “isn’t everything a grandma does for her littlest ones sprinkled with love?”

I am sure that’s an ingredient that is common the whole world around.

It was Mark’s daughter’s birthday party and, after the set-up, he was relegated to the community centre’s sound desk, playing all the hits five-year-olds would dance to.

Which was why he saw the old lady. In a hall full of children, friends, and family, she looked like she’d come to the wrong place by mistake.

He asked if she was looking for someone.

Embarrassed, she said she wasn’t, but she’d heard the noise and she wondered if he wouldn’t mind if she watched the children play for a while.

Taking no chances, Mark invited her to join him at the sound desk. She sat there for an hour, quietly radiating delight. And then she left. Mark had no idea what her story was, but he was glad to have helped.

And he enjoyed the party so much more for her visit.

Harry’s grandson lives hundreds of miles away. He doesn’t see the lad as often as he would like, but he’s planning a trip in the near future.

Taking out his phone he showed me a video of the two-year-old chatting away excitedly. Not having Harry’s ear I asked for a translation.

“He says he can’t wait until I get there, because he wants to take me to the doughnut shop near where he lives.”

Now, I’ve known him a long time so I could confidently assert: “But, you don’t like doughnuts!”

“I’m not going for the doughnuts,” Harry assured me. “I’m going because it’s his favourite place in world – and he wants to share it with me!”

Ahhhh! I got it. A gift from the heart.

One so rich that sprinkles or jam couldn’t make it any sweeter.

The dad was encouraging his children to play one of the board games they got for Christmas.

But the children were tired and a bit cranky. The five-year-old boy wanted to play. Then he didn’t. Then he did. Then he lost big on the first round and had a mini tantrum.

But dad kept it calm and the game continued. Eventually, the boy won the whole game. To say he was amazed would be an understatement.

“Dad! Dad!” He jumped up and down in excitement. “I never expected that to happen after that awful beginning!”

“And, that,” said dad, with a smile, “is why we keep playing the game!”

I had a feeling he wasn’t only talking about board games. I think I may have witnessed some good parenting and an important life lesson.