"I don't Even Know How It Happened"

This morning at about 5:30 am I woke up with the realization that I was right on the edge of the bed. Curled up right next to me with her head on my arms was my granddaughter. I was so surprised because she is normally over on Claudettes side or sometimes sleeping sideways with her feet in my face. It was for me such a special moment that I had to wake Claudette to see it. Even though I was only half awake myself I clearly remember saying, "I don't even know how it happened?". Of course I was referring to the specific situation and yet as I was unsuccessfully trying to get back to sleep it occurred to me that my statement could mean so much more.

After all I really don't know how it happened. I don't know how I got to be a 54 year old grampa with this little person who I call grand daughter sleeping in my arms. Last time I looked my children were that age. But I'm ok with the passage of time since it got me to this point today. Sometimes I wish I had a been as a good a parent as I think I am a grandparent but I don't really belabour it. After all I was only practicing with my own and now I'm experienced. I'm actually grateful to have an opportunity to try to apply those things that I learned. Whenever I start whining about any of the grief in my life I encourage you to remind me that I have a gift that very few people get the opportunity to experience in our modern world. My grandchildren live next door to me. Unbelievable! And to top that off both of their parents encourage them to spend lots of time with us. Given the circumstances that is something I am grateful for beyond words!!

It was cool today when I received a work call and I had to explain that the noise in the background was my granddaughter. I am grateful that I work for a company that allows me the flexibility to multitask in this very special way.



When she grows up she's gonna be a fireman, or as her politically correct brother said, a firegirl grampa! Of course she'll rewrite the standards for firegirl fashion! And just to prove that I have indeed learned something from experience I made her go pee before the leggings went on.

I tell you I don't even know how it happened but I'm glad it did.

“Time is the justice that examines all offenders."---William Shakespeare

love
peter