Often the highlight of our week is Tuesday Afternoon with our grandson, Charlie, and his best friend and “our adopted grandson, ” Dylan. Each Tuesday, we meet them at Skinner Middle School, where they are both in the 7th Grade. Charlie and Dylan have known each other since pre-school and have always had a a special bond. Unfortunately, this year, although they are in the same middle school, they don’t share many classes together, so they, like us, seem to look forward to Tuesday afternoons. Their parents tell us how much the boys enjoy it and are disappointed if the get-together doesn’t happen.

The moment they pile into our car, the conversation about where to go for a “snack” begins. Lately, Taco Bell has been the favored choice, but McDonald’s, Panera, 7-11, and even Hapa, a favorite sushi restaurant, figure in the running. Then after that is decided, we discuss what are we going to do. Often, during the winter, it was going to our apartment and playing five card stud–or gambling as they like to call it. Last Tuesday after a $30 Taco Bell snack for all of us, the boys unanimously decided that we should revisit the Denver Museum of Illusion.

Since a visit requires a lot of walking and standing, Sue opted out, but the museum doesn’t allow anyone under 15 to be unaccompanied, and Opa became the designated chaperon or third wheel. I had a good time, mostly watching the boys who thoroughly enjoyed themselves, especially with the help of the museum docents who always have suggestions on how best to interact with each illusion.

Whatever we do, it gives us the opportunity to interact with Charlie and Dylan, find out what they are doing, and share some time together–something that not all of us are granted. Too soon they will outgrow this stage and will no longer willingly spend some time with the grandparents…let’s hope that time is later rather than sooner.