The Birthday Fish

There isn't one member of my family that doesn't love to go fishing. This all began with my parents, and their love for fishing has trickled down through the generations. My son has two sons of his own now; my two precious grandsons. He began taking the boys fishing when they each turned three years old, because that is the age when they can finally sit still for a good length of time. In the beginning, their fish were small like the size of a minnow.

My youngest grandson's birthday was this past August and what did he want to do on his 5th birthday? He wanted to go fishing and my son couldn't have been happier. This is the first year for their boat which makes it possible to catch more fish and larger fish. They have a small boat so they just fish in lakes; not oceans. And my 5 year old grandson caught his biggest fish ever, on his birthday. Is that the greatest birthday gift ever or what? I don't like to post pictures of my family but this is an exception, with the permission of his proud daddy. My grandson is beaming with happiness.

My son didn't weigh or measure this bass because he said that it swallowed the hook, was in bad shape, and they wanted to get it back into the water, fast. But he said that it weighed a good 2-3 pounds.

The size of his fish were small in the beginning. This was his second largest fish that he caught..

This was his third largest fish, before he caught the big bass on his birthday.

I already talked about a minnow so now I must tell you about the goldfish and whales. I don't get to see my grandsons very often because they live two hours away, driving distance; one way. Whenever we do get together, I always have cookies for them. I adore cookies and they do too. Every once in a while, I will take snacks like these, called "Goldfish Crackers."

A couple of days before I was to make the two hour trip to visit my family, I went to the store to buy cookies for the boys. But the minute I saw this package, I just had to buy it.

All thanks to Steemit, I have fish on the brain. You know; the special fish, "Redfish, Minnows, Dolphins and Whales!" So of course I had to buy these special snacks.

I pulled in the driveway and my grandsons came running out to greet me and to help me carry things into the house. Their first question was, "Did you bring cookies?" I said, "No, but I did buy you a very special snack." They yelled, "Goldfish! Yay! I love Goldfish!" I said, "No! These are not Goldfish; they are special Whales!" I showed them the box and how they were different from the Goldfish Crackers.

Two hours after playing, the birthday boy asked, "Grandma, can I have some Goldfish now?" I said, "No. Not until you call them Whales." I sat him down to explain the difference between goldfish and whales. Now remember, my grandson just turned five years old. This was my explanation.

ME: "As you know, there are many different fish that come in different sizes. First you have a goldfish that is also called a #redfish and it swims in a bowl. The #redfish must work long and hard, so it can grow. When the #redfish gets bigger, it will be able to get out of that bowl."

5 YR. OLD: " When it gets out, where will it go?"

ME: "It gets to go in the big ocean and swim with the #minnow's. The #redfish and #minnow's help each other. They all swim really hard and get stronger together. And one day, they might be able to become dolphins. The dolphins are pretty big fish. And if the dolphins work extra hard, they become big whales. What Grandma is trying to tell you is that if you work really hard, you can become anything you want to be when you grow up. Don't think small. Think big like a whale!"

5 YR. OLD: "OK! NOW can I have some Goldfish?" (In one ear and out the other.)

I was getting ready to leave, and saying my good byes when the 5 yr. old birthday boy asked, "Grandma, why are you leaving now? It's not even dark outside yet." I replied, "I have a long drive and I want to be home before it gets dark outside."

5 YR. OLD: "Why do you have to be home before it gets dark?"

ME: "Because Grandma can't drive in the dark." (I recently found out that I have permanent damage to my retina in one eye and it is too dangerous for me to drive in the dark; especially with a two hour drive.)

5 YR. OLD: "Why can't you drive in the dark?"

ME: " Because I can't see very well in the dark."

5 YR. Old: "Grandma! Don't you know that your car has lights? Just turn the lights on and you will be able to see!"

He understands that lights help you to see in the dark, but it looks like I have a lot more explaining to do about the little #redfish becoming a whale. Next time, I will be sure to explain it to him with pictures. And just like Steemit, I will never give up; until he understands.