My grandchildren, Mikaila (KailaCole…Stinky) and Ryan (RyRy Stinkpot) were ages three and two when she had the “stinkies”. I was blessed to live close by, spending lots of time together.

There was a computer program called “Scrapbook Factory” which became our “go to” when they had Nana visits. Often they would say, “Nana, can we make a Stinky?”

Each child would have a turn sitting on my lap, and we would create a page for their Stinky/Stinkpot album. It was definitely a highlight in our lives. Each page was different, and they made the choices as to what should go into the creation. I laugh to myself now as often Ryan would choose a food item for his page.

Besides spending valuable one-on-one time with each
grandchild, it took the “sting” out of having the stinkies, taught each of them it’s okay to have a nickname, and Stinky and Stinkpot became personal. As young adults now, they “own” their albums, which I’m told are in their “Memory Boxes.” Who would ever dream that 17 years later the manuscript that I wrote about “Stinky” and filed away would become a book to share with the world!

I am beyond thrilled how God orchestrated this all to happen. At 78 years old, I can only say – God is awesome and that even in our old age, as promised, we are able to bear good fruit!

My grandchildren are my treasures of love. Although we live some distance away from one another now, those loving memories are dear to our hearts. Seeds of love were planted and nurtured. Stinky and Stinkpot are alive and well!