Afternoon At The Movies

Last week, I took my two grandchildren to the movies. Among their choices were "Shrek the Third", the new "Pirates of the Caribbean", and the new "Spider Man". They wanted to see "Shrek".

Earlier, when I visited at Eileen's place, I noted that she had taken her children to see "Shrek". Her trip seems to have been less eventful than mine, or there's something she's not telling us. Eileen will empathize with my adventure, if no one else does.

When I arrived their house to pick up the children, they were both carrying blankets - not full-sized bed blankets, but throws. I asked, "Why the blankets?" "It's cold at the movies." OK, it is cold in the mulitplex cinemas, so off we go. Think of the energy that could be saved by turning the thermostats up a few degrees.

After we took the baby sitter home and reached the theater, we were running a little late. My grandson, who is seven, was complaining that his blanket was not "folded neatly". I worked with it a little, but not to his satisfaction, and he continued to whine.

I had purchased our tickets online, but I had to get to the machine to get them out. While I was standing there, not getting the procedure right, with my 11-year-old granddaughter coaching me until I finally got it right, I turned around to see that my grandson had spread his blanket on the floor and was again trying to get it "folded neatly". I tried to help him, and we moved on to the concession stand.

My grandson was still complaining as we stood in line, and once again spread his blanket out on the floor trying to get it "folded neatly". No matter what we did with the blanket, the edges curled up and were not neat. I helped him again, and then it was our turn at the counter. His first two choices for candy were out of stock, and he froze in dismay. People standing behind us, were getting impatient so I said firmly, "Pick something," which he finally did. I began to get a hint that it was not going to be an easy afternoon.

Each child was now equipped with candy, popcorn and a frozen goody. My grandson's popcorn spilled and half emptied the bag, and he was still whining about his candy, because it was not what he wanted. In the meantime, he unfolded his blanket and draped it around his shoulders, dragging it alongside and behind. I moved ahead to go to our theater, but my grandson stood immobile, blocking the way for the folks behind him. I physically moved him out of the line, but he refused to come along with us. I told his sister, "Let's go. We're going into the theater." We started to move, and he finally followed us, stepping and tripping on his blanket.

When we reached the theater, the movie had already started, and now I WAS BLIND. My eyes take quite a long time to adjust to going from light to dark. There was not much light from the screen, and I could just barely make out my two grandchildren, so I followed them. When we were about halfway up the steps, I could no longer see them. I stood for a minute, and then turned and felt my way back down the stairs. I was beginning to see a little and spotted three seats. I sat down, having no idea where the children were, praying that they would find me. They did. My grandson was still whining about the blanket and the candy, and standing up, blocking the view of the folks behind. I said firmly, "Sit down and be quiet, or they're going to throw you out of the theater." He sat down, and I did not hear a peep out of him throughout the movie, thanks be to God.

As I thought about the people watching me stumble up and down the stairs, perhaps some of the same ones who saw me with my grandson and the blanket spread on the floor and the scene at the concession stand, I wondered what they were thinking about me. Probably something like, "Why do they let her roam free?"

I enjoyed the movie. I found it sweet and funny, with wit that was probably above the heads of many of the children. My favorite character was Merlin, whom you see pictured above, but only from the rear.

My grandson has been diagnosed with ADHD and is on medication for the condition. It seems to me that he could also have a touch of OCD. This is strictly Dr. Mimi's diagnosis, but it would explain his having to get things just right. His parents have recently divorced, so along with his other problems, his life has changed rather drastically.

As I started the car, a fight erupted in the back seat, because my granddaughter put her foot on "his side" of the car, which did not suit my grandson at all. Pushing ensued, followed by a smack from his sister and his crying loudly. I put the car back in park and got out. My patience was wearing thin. I took hold of his shirt, and told him, "We are going to the beach in a few weeks. It's a long ride there, and you're going to have to learn how to ride in the car and behave yourself, or we're going to leave you home," - an empty threat, most certainly. How am I doing, Dennis? The rest of the ride home was quiet.