Two weekends ago we had the chance to hang out with my grandma, Ewan’s great-grandma, Judy.

While out, eating brunch, Ewan showed off a number of his tricks. Saying “uh-oh.” Eating with a fork. And telling everyone, with his baby sign, how cold his ice water was. After.every.sip.

Judy was charmed, of course. And it was a nice moment, but it wasn’t until a few days later we realized how useful our short visit had been.

Fast forward a few days to her open-heart surgery. (things went well and she is recovering nicely) For a time after the surgery she had to keep the breathing tube in place which, obviously, impacted her ability to communicate.

Without the ability to talk she was frustrated, as anyone would be, with her inability to express her most basic needs or her level of pain. After a particularly frustrating interaction where the medical staff and family weren’t able to figure out what was causing her issue, Judy finally took her fists, balled them up, and shook them.

Without pause my mom (Ewan’s grandma), Sue, realized what she was doing. “You’re cold,” she exclaimed and with relief my grandma nodded.

My grandma was doing the very same sign that she had seen Ewan do only a handful of days prior. She was able, like Ewan, to communicate and get her needs met!

While I wish I had been there to witness the scene myself, I am so glad that the story got relayed. I’m so glad my grandma Judy had the chance to spend time not only admiring Ewan, but also learning from him.

I guess it’s just further proof. All the while we think, as adults, that we are the ones teaching the little ones, when really, it is often them teaching us.