The Grandmother in a Toy Store

Hi my dear friend,

Sometimes I like to 
wander into little stores. 
Just to browse.

But usually my eye 
catches something. 
And now that I've seen it, 
I cannot leave it behind.

I do have collections 
of the oddest things. 

Antique optical glasses. 
Ladies' pocket watches. 
And lace handkerchiefs.

But not everything 
has to be old.

I also love toy stores 
selling adorable bunnies and mice,
with the detailed furniture sets… 
and their sweet tiny clothes.

But before I purchase anything, 
I usually just stand there taking it all in. 
Marveling at the things someone 
somewhere has thoughtfully made.

And so there I was - 
browsing the shelves 
filled with beautiful things, 

when I couldn't help but overhear 
a woman next to me inquiring about…  
nightlights.

Do they come with lullabies? 
Do the images move? 
What are the settings on each one? 
What do people usually choose?

She was so curious and 
determined to find the right one.

Only she wasn't just 
any woman. 

She was a grandmother 
looking for a gift to surprise 
her little ones.

It's been a few years 
since I last hugged my mom.

And even though I've gotten 
used to that feeling of longing 
always lingering somewhere 
in the background…

sometimes it still 
catches me off guard.

Like on this day, 
in a toy store, 
watching a grandmother 
choosing a nightlight.

And yet I couldn’t stop thinking… 
how lucky are the little hearts 
who still have this.

Who have grandmothers 
making sure that the darkness 
is a little less scary.

With love,
Elina Janevica