Two Words I Don’t Want to Hear From my Grandchildren

It makes me irate when my grandchildren tell me they “can’t” do something after a short time of trying. I keep reminding them of the “little engine that could,” but it doesn’t do any good. These late teens, early twenties people are much too quick to give up and let somebody else do it. “Could you please open this bottle of apple juice for me,” Grandma asks. After three or four unsuccessful twists, she hands the bottle back to me and says, “I can’t.” Nothing makes me want to scream more than those two words. If they were my children, I’d say, “Keep trying until you get it. You have more strength in your arms than I do.” Don’t tell me “I can’t” unless you’re locked up in jail and don’t have the key.