We stood in front of the menu at Dairy Queen. Grandpa waved his hand at all of it and said, “Get whatever you want!”

My eyes popped. My kid brothers’ mouths gaped. Really?!

His eyes twinkled, he grinned, and said it again.

It felt like a windfall of delicious opportunity. Parents always told us our options. This liberality was new. And wonderful.

He knew it too. Grandparents just know.

I was listening to an audiobook with my seven-year-old daughter. The characters were spoiled. She could tell. I asked her if she was spoiled. She blurted, “No!” Then reflectively, “Well, maybe a little…around Grandma…she always has donuts.”

I love it.