Grandma

Skype

illustrated by Nurit Serfaty

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Carmella Dardikman-Levi

Grandma SkypeCarmella Dardikman-Levi

illustrated by Nurit Serfaty

Dedicated to my grandchildren.

Grandma was born in Los Angeles. That's where she lives.Christopher was born in New York City. That's where he lives.Grandma wears shorts and sandals for most of the year.Christopher wears a heavy coat in the winter and tank tops in the summer.

Grandma lives with Grandpa.Christopher lives with Mommy, Daddy, and his little sister Jennifer.Christopher is far away from Grandma, but very close to her heart.

Grandma has other grandchildren.All of them, except Christopher and Jennifer, live in Los Angeles.Grandma can visit them, hug and kiss them.But Grandma talks on Skype with Christopher and Jennifer.

Christopher wakes up in the morning in New York City, brushes his teeth, gets dressed and eats his breakfast. Mom quickly gets Christopher ready and says:"Christopher, we're in a hurry to get to preschool. The teacher is already waiting for you."Christopher dawdles. Stands in his room, looks at the computer and says:"Mommy, I want Grandma. I want Grandma, Skype."Mommy smiles and says:"I want to speak with Grandma too. But Grandma is still sleeping.""But Mommy, it's morning," says Christopher."That's right, Christopher. It's morning in New York City, but at Grandma's in Los Angeles, it's still the middle of the night."Christopher doesn't understand: "Is Grandma sick? Why is she still in bed?""Christopher, it's morning here and you're going to be late for preschool.

We'll speak to Grandma on Skype after school, when it's morning at Grandma's."

"Grandma Skype! Grandma Skype!" wails Christopher and stomps his foot. "Grandma! Skype! Now!" Mommy hugs Christopher, and tries to calm him down.She's a little bit sad, too. She misses Grandma, her mother, and also wants to speak with her."Ok, Christopher. Let's try to call. Maybe Grandma is up very very early and maybe she'll answer."

Mommy goes to the computer.Christopher follows Mommy and checks the computer screen."Mommy, here's the blue circle. In just a little bit we're going to see Grandma Skype. You see? Here's Grandma. Grandma's not sleeping. Grandma Skype," Christopher said with delight. "Grandma Skype, are you sick?""Why," asks Grandma. "Why do you think I'm sick? I'm so happy that you called. I love speaking to you on Skype.""Grandma, Mommy said that you're still asleep and that I have to go to preschool. It's morning now, and my teacher is already waiting for me.""That's right, Christopher. In Los Angeles, it's the middle of the night and I'm going to go back to sleep.

I woke up a few minutes ago because I had a feeling that you miss me and want to talk to me on Skype."

Grandma smiles, sends a hug and blows a kiss, and tears well up in her eyes."My Christopher, you got so big since the last time we spoke on Skype. I see your handsome curls.I see that your hair got longer and that you're such a big boy.Christopher, go to preschool now. I'm going back to sleep. We'll talk on Skype again when you get home."But Christopher doesn't give up:"No! I want Grandma Skype! I want Grandma Skype!"

"I have an idea," says Grandma. "Why don't I come visit you in New York City and we'll have fun together.""But, Grandma, I want Grandma Skype,not a different Grandma."

And Grandma explains: "If Grandma comes to visit you in New York City, she'll take you to school, play with you, hug and kiss you, and even tell you bedtime stories.""Grandma, can you come now? I'm waiting for you," says Christopher.Mommy hugs Christopher and explains:"Christopher, Grandma has to buy a plane ticket and fly on an airplane, and that takes a long time.""Great! I'll wait here for Grandma and we'll go to school together.My teacher will be happy to meet Grandma Skype.Mommy, do you know that my teacher has green eyes just like Grandma?

And I like the color green best. I color a lot with green crayons.So I think that Grandma should come with me to preschool."

Mommy smiles and hugs Christopher."Christopher, you need to be patient and wait until Grandma gets here."Christopher thinks and asks with a little hesitation:"So can I wait for her here?"

Mommy explains again:"We live in New York City and Grandma lives in Los Angeles.New York City is very far away from Los Angeles, and it takes a long time to get from Los Angeles to New York City. Christopher, I have an idea. We'll make a chart and every day we'll mark the day that's gone by.And we'll count how many days are left until Grandma comes. I suggest that every day you draw Grandma a drawing, and when she gets to the airport, we'll go get her and you'll give her all the drawings you drew for her.And then you can give Grandma a hug and a kiss. Not on Skype, but for real."

Grandma, who hears the conversationover Skype, smiles to herself. She hugs and kisses Christopher through the computer screen, and Christopher gets very close to the screen and kisses Grandma's nose.Grandma cries a little bit because she's so happy."See you later, my Christopher! We'll see each other soon."

"Let's go, Mommy. Let's go to school and take Grandma Skype with us on the iPad. We'll show Grandma Skype to my teacher and all the kids.""Excellent idea," says Mommy. "Let's take the iPad and show all the kids a picture of you and Grandma.""This is great!" Christopher is delighted.

"Come on, Christopher. Let's go to school," says Mommy."All the kids are probably already there and the teacher is waiting for you. We should hurry."Christopher is so happy. He dances, jumps for joy and claps his hands."Grandma Skype is coming soon and that makes my heart happy."