My Grandchild’s Journey:

A little over 3 years ago, upon learning of the impending birth of my first grandchild, I decided to document my thoughts so I could share them someday with what I didn’t know at the time would be my first of 2 grandsons.  I ended up writing 8 short pieces over several months and then got busy on other projects and discontinued my journal.  Over the next few days I’ll publish these raw drafts as a tribute to my first grandson and his little brother who is now closing in on his fourth month among us. Since they were short entries, I’ll be posting them 2 at a time.

My Grandchild’s Journey: Part 5

At 22 weeks, my grandson has more than doubled his size in a little over a month.  In another 2 weeks he’ll enter his third trimester, beginning his rapid acceleration in development towards his debut with the world on or about March 19, 2011.

As his nervous system develops, his sense of touch and taste are being readied for the countless sensations that await him in the new world he is about to enter.

He is now about the size of a cabbage and is already beginning to recognize the sound of his mother’s voice.

While our grandson develops under the perfectly synchronized and watchful eye of Mother Nature, my wife and I are discussing how we want to be addressed by our first grandchild.  Will he use the traditional mom- mom and pop- pop or something else?  I say leave it up to him, and of course, his soon-to-be grandmother has other ideas.

Whatever he decides to call me, I look forward to helping him avoid making some of the mistakes I have made, while knowing he will encounter the inevitable ups and downs we all face in life.  I want him to know that I’ll be there for him to keep his head screwed on straight during the high times and to provide consolation and comfort during his low times.

My grandson will be coming into the world during a very dangerous and difficult time.  Our political leaders have mortgaged his future for nothing other than securing their re-election and appeasing special interest groups.  Fanatical terrorists are targeting my grandson’s homeland in the name of a perverted interpretation of their religion, with a mission to kill Americans for no other reason than we are who we are.

My grandson’s generation has a lot of work to do to clean up the mess he is being born into.  I know that he will be up to the challenge.

My Grandson’s Journey: Part 6  (written 9/11/11)

It’s been awhile since my last post and a lot has happened.  My grandson was born exactly one month early and is now nearly 7 months old.  He is healthy and happy and a joy to be around.

As a grandparent I treasure every moment I am with him and enjoy his company as much or more than the time I spend with others who think their communication skills are more evolved than his.  I question their assertion on this point at times but hold my tongue.

As I reflect today on the horrible events that occurred 10 years ago on 9/11, I realize how fragile life is and how precious the time that I spend with my grandson is.  Tomorrow is not guaranteed and I am committed to doing everything in my power and to give everything I have, including my life, if need be, to insure a safe and happy life for my grandson.

I never imagined how special being a grandparent would be until I was able to hold this little boy in my arms as he slept, to comfort him when he was startled by a noise, or to hold him as he drinks his bottle and falls asleep, his stomach full, and knowing that he feels loved and safe in my arms.

Its grandparents’ day next Wednesday at his daycare center.  I can’t wait!