New Life

A friend of mine just had his first grandchild.  He posted me a photo of a tiny bundle of girlie beauty.  Looking at the scrunched up facial features reminded me how overjoyed I was nearly 4 years ago when my grandson Deegan popped onto planet earth.  Wow!  That's the word, the only word, WOW!  I never thought my best friend ever would be a diaper toting, damn near bald headed, red faced drooling baby boy. But it turned out that way.  The feeling I have for my grandson is, well, different.  And I'm sure every grandparent feels this way.  It's a wonderful, hopeful, different feeling.  The link you feel toward your grandchild is truly lovely.  I can sum it up this way.  When your own child was two years old and beating his spoon on the dining room table, you said "careful with that spoon, son".  However, when your grandson is beating  his spoon on the table its "that kid is a natural musician"!  Now I love my son.  Even though I made a ton of child rearing faux pas he turned out to be a brave, devoted, hard working, loving, ambitious man. And now he's raising his own son, with their own unique challenges to overcome.  With my grandson its "party time".  I'm not teaching him how to play, I'm joining in and playing with him.  That's the difference between son and grandson for me.

Now to the new grandfather Doug. Time will really fly by now my friend, so hold on to each new adventure with your little one.  There will be plenty...the tiny hand gripping your index finger with trust and eagerness, peek-a-boo until the cows come home, peaceful indescribable moments late at night, her first step, running full bore into your belly, dancing like ballerinas do, the wonder and bigness of a choo choo train, a walk around the block, the beauty of a puddle, a million more thrills this little child will give you.  Doug, enjoy everyday of having a new best friend.  The wheels on the bus go round and round.