“My Grandpa flew a helicopter into a house”

Huey Helicopter from Vietnam War (Photo credit: Photo Dean)

Iris was swinging at the park the other day, she was laughing as I was pushing her.

A helicopter flew overhead and it was quite loud –

and she said, “What is that?”   I said,  “That’s a helicopter.”

She then said,  “My grandpa…………..” and repeats these 2 words, several times.   “Yes, okay, YOUR Grandpa…….. she says, “My grandpa……………….” and hesitates like she is trying to remember something.     I say, ” WHICH grandpa?   – Grandpa Elwood?”  SHe says again,  “Yes.  My Grandpa Elwood flew a helicopter into ……..into   a    house!”   I say”  Grandpa Elwood?’  Iris says  “Yes”   I say, “No, Grandpa Elwood flew a helicopter in VIETNAM”.    She repeats…..”My Grandpa Elwood, flew a helicopter into,   into, in…..a house”……..  So, we worked on this for awhile and after several swings she got it and said, “My Grandpa Elwood flew a helicopter in Vietnam.”    Success.

Amazing the memory of these little child brains.  Obviously someone (my son?) told her about her Grandpa Elwood’s escapades with helicopters, but somehow it sounded dramatic to change the story that “Grandpa flew into a house”.

She’s running in circles now.  We’ve cooked dinner and her other Grandpa ( Papa’O) is pretending to chase her with her giggles coming in huge waves.    She loves her grandpa (s)  and  I sit back and watch with a heart full of love and amazement at the JOY OF LIFE one petite little girl has in this particular moment.     She is the  legacy of someone, known as  Grandpa Elwood, that did indeed, for this country,  fight and fly.

Vietnam War Air Operation (Photo credit: tommy japan)