A FaceTime call I won’t soon forget

could show off for my Swedish family. I would impress and “ wow ” them.

I have neither impressed nor “wowed,” as evidenced by the hearty laughter of my son and grandson as I tried to roll out the tiniest fragments of Swedish. I can’t even remember what Hayden said so engrossed was I in the melodious sound of words I could finally understand. Something about his friends.

Ryan kept spurring him on to say more things in English, which he obligingly did, but at some point he started to squirm and look miserable. So, loving grandma that I am, I told him that he could get back to playing his video games. He clearly understood what I said, as he gave me a thumbs-up and retreated. Not quite far enough, though.

Ryan videoed him doing his “virtual reality” thing, complete with the headset and “thingies” on his hand.

He was privy to a world no one else could see, fighting off I-do-not-know-who, as he spun around and waved his hands in all different directions, obviously sending someone to an untimely demise.

From the time Hayden was born I dreamed of the day that I could call him on his cell phone and give him some much needed “grandma advice.” Doing the grandma thing long distance, but still doing it. As Kenny Rogers once sang in a song, “You play the hand you’re dealt.” And being thousands of miles from him was the hand I was dealt.

Oh, but we would talk about his latest crush and if she loved him back. We would discuss his friends, and if he was in the “in crowd,” and did he even want to be. All the things those turbulent adolescent years dish out, which at the time loom larger than life. Grandma would help him through it all.

But as the years rolled on my hopes and dreams began to wane somewhat. Apparently speaking English was not his strong suit. And we know how I am with the Swedish. All I manage to blurt out is, “I don’t speak Swedish.” It doesn’t get me very far. Oh, and I can recite the days of the week. Again, not very far.

See It’s All Good, A5

It’s All Good

From A4

So this English-speaking episode was a real breakthrough. My hopes and dreams have been ignited again.

A thumbs-ups to you, too, my dear grandson. And don’t wander too far from your cell phone. Grandma is here for you.

Send-off

From A1

Bufford-Cournoyer is serving as a volunteer at the Special Olympics World Games. Also representing Coginchaug in Germany are Unified coach Robb Bajoros and CRHS alumnus Zack Ryer.

Around Town

From A1

In a social media post, Lyman Orchards said the treats “were distributed to veterans, VA employees, reservists, and active-duty service members throughout Connecticut.”

The Salvation Army established National Donut Day in 1938 to honor the so-called “Donut Lassies,” women who risked their lives during World War I to bring American soldiers a taste of home.

According to salvation-

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In Brief

Time To Celebrate

Cat Tales

Join a wonderful and dedicated group of people a few hours a week to help care for homeless cats at Cat Tales’ main shelter. The volunteer application can be found at cattalesct.org. For more information, email: info@cattalesct.org.

Giving Garden

Help is welcomed and appreciated at the Middlefield-Durham Giving Garden, located behind the Middlefield Community Center. For further information, contact Betsy St. John at 860-807-5242 or Jen Huddleston at 860716-0464.

Faith

Services

Rock of Refuge Church is located at 350 Main St., second floor, in Durham. Sunday services 11 a.m.; Tuesday Prayer Meetings 6:45 p.m.

United Churches is located at the corner of Route 68 and Main Street in Durham. Sunday services 10 a.m. (in person and live streamed).

Church of the Epiphany is located at 196 Main St. in Durham. Sunday services 9:30 a.m.

In Brief

Food bank

The Middlefield Food Bank is in need of the following: peanut butter, jelly, jam, sandwich/freezer bags, coffee, tea, crackers, snacks, laundry detergent, dish soap, cleaning supplies, toothpaste, tooth brushes, pasta, pasta sauce, tuna, and grocery store gift cards.

Paper shredding

The Lower CT River Valley Council of Governments (RiverCOG) will hold a residential paper shredding event Saturday, June 24 from 9 a.m. to noon at Westbrook Town Hall, 866 Boston Post Road. This event is free to residents of the RiverCOG region, which includes Middlefield and Durham. For more information, visit rivercog.org/household-hazardous-waste.

Soccer refs

The Greater New Haven Soccer Officials Association will conduct a new member clinic Thursday, June 22, 6 to 8:30 p.m., at the North Haven Recreation Center, 7 Linsley St.

The association services high school and middle school girls and boys soccer from Meriden, south to Stratford, and east to Branford. To register for the June 22 clinic, visit gnhsoa.com

(click on “Become a Member,” then “Want to Become a Referee"). There is no charge for the clinic.

Tip line

In response to growing statewide complaints of a spike in so-called street takeover events, the FBI rolled out a tip line for residents to report instances of mass gatherings in parking lots and roadways.

Residents looking to report a street takeover are encouraged to call 1-800-CALL-FBI and select the “Connecticut Street Takeovers” option from an operator. Or, visit the website fbi.gov/cttakeovertips.