It’s funny how history repeats itself. Years ago, I had written about my grandson Alex, who was 9 years old at the time. My Hot Wheel loving little buddy man. Seems like a lifetime ago. Just last week I watched as he walked across the stage to receive his high school diploma. Anyway, while spending one particularly memorable weekend with me back in 2014 he had really thrown me for a loop when I had asked that typical Grammy question “what would you like to eat?” What ensued was one of the most surprising conversations ever. At the time, Disney channel had a site called Mickey Check, which featured healthy recipes for kids to make with their families. Of course, he had already been to the site and picked out a waffle he really wanted to make with Ricotta cheese, apples, oats, blueberries and I think flaxseed. So needless to say, off to the grocery store we went.
I remember at the time being fascinated with the concept of not only influencing a healthy meal choice for a child at a young age, but I also recognized how that marketing was being used so successfully to influence my purchases. All that wasn’t my biggest take away though. That single waffle, and an advertiser’s creativity that sparked a child’s imagination and had given me one of my happiest memories. Just a boy and his Grammy, shopping and cooking. Making a mess and giggling a lot. How brilliant was that, and how special that day now lives in my memory. We laughed, we cooked, we ate. we loved.
Fast forward to the present and my very precocious grandson Drew, all of 6 years old. Full of energy, a love for all things fast and a mind like a steel trap. He is a true Gen Alpha. He navigates technology like a ninja and absorbs content like a sponge. His recall on facts and statistics is absolutely astounding, and I’m no slouch…..even if I can’t seem to remember where I left my car keys. Yet, I regress.
Last week while visiting he pulled a complete Alex on me. And once again, I found myself caught up in another brilliant advertiser’s creation come to life through my grandchild. Drew had been watching a whole series of cooking tutorial’s on-line, because that’s what all 6-year-old boys watch, right? Unbeknownst to me at the time he had chosen me, “my most bestest sweet grammy”, (his words, not mine) to help him make his very first meal. He had his menu ready, meat and veggies, salad, a dessert and even his ambiance picked out already. (battery operated candles) I didn’t stand a chance.
So off we went to shop provisions to create this spectacular fancy meal. No amount of money could compare to the shear joy and fun we had that day, The precision in which he selected the perfect pork chops was adorable. Better yet was how he explained in detail how they needed to be seasoned before we seared them. Yes, he said seared! From there we would roast them in the oven. Next was the produce department where he gathered the remaining ingredients for a salad, since Grammy was on a diet, thanks Drew…..then some baby carrots for color? When I said this child absorbs everything I wasn’t kidding. Fresh strawberries to decorate the top of the cake and we headed to the checkout where he explained to everyone within earshot, he was making his “1st ever” dinner with his special Grammy. It was a proud moment, and I saw a few bystanders tear up with emotion seeing his delight. It didn’t hurt when he complimented the cashier on her “beautiful hair” either. I tell you what, the girls aren’t going to stand a chance in 10 years.
To say that day ranks right up top with my most precious memories is an understatement. We made a cake, we seared some pork chops and even glazed some carrots. We even made Grammy a huge diet salad. But what we REALLY made was a memory to cherish
It's days like these that I realize just how much those in my industry, have the ability to affect and influence those which we touch with our words and advertising. It’s a responsibility and a privilege to be entrusted with someone initiatives. It’s also a joy to see those words and creations impact a little boy’s hopes and desires like they have. And I had the honor of being a part of them twice.
Words are powerful and we may never know if, or when they may change a moment in time for someone. I hope just once in my career, that I too can spark a thought with someone somewhere, that may lead to an experience half as great as the ones I cherish.