Cloie

CLOIE

A few weeks ago I was waiting at the surgery center for my cataract surgery.    About 7:30 AM a mom and her little girl came in and sat next to me as they were waiting for the little girl’s surgery.  Cloie was a typical three year old, being very shy at first then she opened up like a butterfly, smiling,  playing peek-a-boo and checking out all the people waiting. Her mom and I started chatting and she told me of the previous surgeries Cloie had already had and how she was looking forward to get this one done.

Cloie had her baby doll with her and a back pack full of clothes and toys.  She was sitting quiet, then would pop up and jump around while mom told her to sit still.  Well that worked for a bit until she decided to pull the things out of the back pack.  She would pull something out, mom would put it back it, telling her to keep the bag closed.  This went on until they call her up to the desk.   Since little Cloie was a veteran and knew the routine, she held her arm out for the nurse to put a wristband on her.  She came back to her seat and started fidgiting with it until her mom told her to leave it alone.   She looked at me and I held my arm out showing her my wristband and told her we matched.  A cute little grin came over her face.  All of a sudden she jumped on my lap and just sat there.  I was quietly talking with her,  telling her I liked her fuzzy pink and blue robe when all of a sudden she laid her head on my arm.   Cloie let out a big sign and I could feel her body just relax.   He mom looked over and said she never cuddles or sits still and was amazed.  I told her it was because I have seven grandchildren plus three great grandbabies and I had the “gramma lap.”

Cloie stayed cuddled up for a nap and about thirty minutes later the pre-op nurse came out and called my name.  I looked up and in a very serious tone I told her I really didn’t have time right now, my lap was busy.  By now the entire waiting room was chuckling.   The nurse asked if she was my little girl and  I told her no, she just popped on my lap.  I whispered in Cloie’s ear that I had to go in the back, she gave me a hug as I handed her back to her mom.  We waved good-bye as I headed back with the nurse.

I’m in the cubicle getting things ready for my surgery when I heard the patter of little feet, it was Cloie!  She went in the cubicle next to me and she wasn’t too happy.  So me being the “kid” I am, I reach over and pushed the curtain back a bit and whispered her name.  It was so cute to see her eyes light up and a big smile.  I told her to be good and she would be home having popsicles before she knew it.

I was wheeled to the operating room, never to see Cloie again, but I think of her and see her sweet smile as she was relaxing in my arms.  Yes, you need a gramma lap for that.