The Return

As Mark Twain once said, “The news of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”  Thanx to those of you who inquired via email if I was okay.  I merely took a few days and flew to Orlando to be with our son and his family.  Grandpa had a blast.

You see, I got to spend glorious evenings with Mr. and Mrs. Middle America. Noses buried in their laptops, they occasionally spoke to one another, but the subject matter was usually about work.  My son has two jobs – teaching high school social studies and coaching boys rowing.  My daughter-in-law also has two jobs – administering the school district’s math programs and tending to my son.  (The latter is the more difficult job.)

(Be sure to click on each photo to see a larger version.)

Ah, but it’s the grandkids I went to see.  After all, my son and daughter-in-law are adults.  They’re too much like me.  Kids, on the other hand, are  - - well - - kids!

The sixteen year old is driving.  While Mom and Dad clucked and worried, I felt perfectly comfortable as she drove the family minivan around town.  She’s a level-headed girl and I have no doubt she will get the hang of driving.  Within a few months, she too will be able to text message, tune her iPod, talk with a friend in the passenger seat, and drive - - all at the same time.

The only male in the younger generation is the creative one – a bit edgy (though that may due to his recent ascendancy to being a wild and crazy teenager) but also a bit drifty in a nice sort of way.  This shot captures his personality rather well.  He was disappointed recently when he failed to make the school soccer team – he was one of the last ones cut from a very good program.

At the youngest end of the spectrum is the sweetheart in the middle – and who can compete against photos of pretty girls and a cute dog?  Mom’s heart is following the last of her brood as she becomes a young woman.  Personally, I’m not worried about her growing up as much as I am about the trail of broken hearts she will leave behind in school.

No broken hearts for the oldest.  She is a college student this year – another new adventure in life.  She’s also found a young man.  After meeting him, I think she has good taste.  He’s hardworking, respectful, and has worked hard at his education.  Even better, he will provide that extra special push she might need to study hard.  If Grandpa has only one fear, its that being a Great Grandpa can’t be too far away.

No thanx – I’m too young to be a Great Grandfather.  I just hope my son and his family remember me as a great Grandpa.

Comments

[Tom Murray]

Being a grandparent is the best thing in the world. I left beautiful historic Charleston, SC and a great small liberal srts school for the University of Central Florida. I swore I would never cut grass again. Now after over 20 years I'm cutting grass and even have a swimming pool to keep clean. I can't believe it, but the grandkids are over every weekend and I love every second. It makes giving up historic Charleston worth it.

I'll still be bringing College of Charleston students to Quang Tri Province VN in December, maybe as many as 12. I'm meeting with both the Study Abroad and International Service Learning in a few weeks to set up the VN programs here at UCF, the home of the most undergraduates at one school in the USA, over 50,000 strong. I'm hoping my work in VN expands.

I love seeing the grandparent stories. Doug and Cindy, you will soon be a great grandparents. It may be five or six years, but its coming. You are getting old, with grace.

Tom

[Russ]

I think you might have forgotten to mention one other job they have and that's rearing a great family. I'm sure you had a great time there.