Chelsea loved Grandpa Rexilius,  or G-Rex as he liked to be called. His laugh gurgled, like a waterfall. His hugs were like a snuggly blanket.

But most of all, Chelsea loved when G-Rex said, “Hello! It’s good to see you.” She loved how his voice sounded friendly and creaky and how his face wrinkled up like an old turtle when he said it.

“G-Rex,” she asked him one day. “How old are you?”

“What do you think?” he asked.

“Two hundred and fifteen?” Chelsea guessed.

“Close!” G-Rex said. “I’m eighty-seven. And since you’re seven, we’re almost twins!”

They both laughed. Then Chelsea asked, “Why do people call you G-Rex?”

“Because G-Rex sounds like T-Rex,” he said. “T-Rex was one of the toughest dinosaurs that ever lived. And I’m tough too.”

“You’re not tough,” Chelsea said. “You can’t carry heavy boxes. Grandma says you’ll hurt your back. Plus you sleep a lot. And sleeping is not tough.”

“Hmmm,” G-Rex said. “Well, I used to be tough. When I worked as a janitor, I moved big tables. I pushed a large lawn mower. I lifted huge loads of trash.”

“I wish I could lift loads of trash,” Chelsea said. “But I’m too little.”

“That’s okay,” G-Rex said. “Trash isn’t that thrilling.”

Then G-Rex looked at his wrinkled hands. He rubbed his puffy knuckles. Chelsea knew they hurt him sometimes.

“G-Rex!” Chelsea said, hugging him. “I need you!”

G-Rex laughed. But his eyes still looked sad.

When Chelsea went to bed that night, she thought about G-Rex and his puffy fingers and sad-looking eyes. There were a lot of things G-Rex couldn’t do because he was too old. Just like there were a lot of things she couldn’t do because she was too young.  Still, Chelsea remembered all the things she loved about G-Rex. And suddenly she knew just what he needed to hear.

When G-Rex came over the next day, Chelsea yelled, “G-Rex! You are still T-Rex tough!”

“What are you talking about?” G-Rex said.

“What do you always say when you come over?”

“Ummm…” G-Rex frowned. “Hello… it’s good to see you?”

“Yes!” Chelsea said. “It’s tough meeting new people. But everyone loves your friendly, creaky voice. When you say hello, people feel happy.”

 G-Rex stood up a little taller. “I hadn’t thought about that.”

 “And your hands…” Chelsea began.

“My hands can’t lift much,” G-Rex said quickly. “Remember?”

“Yes, they can!” Chelsea said. “When you fold your hands and pray, you lift people up to God.  I know you already lift me up in prayer. And you can lift up the whole heavy world too.   That’s T-Rex tough!” 

G-Rex got a big, wrinkly turtle-smile on his face.

 “The best part is…I can do those things too!” Chelsea said, bouncing on her toes in excitement. “We can do them together. We can be almost twins!”

“You’re right,” G-Rex said. “I guess you’re never too old…”

“…or to young!” Chelsea added.

“…to help other people,” G-Rex said.

“I’m starting right now,” Chelsea said. “I’m going to lift up Grandma  in prayer. Do you want to too?”