Like Merlin...

Sometimes I think that like Merlin I am living backwards -- that I can see the future more clearly than I can remember what I had for breakfast.

On being a grandmother

Ever since I had kids I wanted to be a grandmother -- and some 30-odd years later it finally happened. As I prepare for my grandson's first birthday, I feel the need to look both back and forward to the implications for both of us.

I think the sages said it well -- be careful what you wish for -- not that I feel any reason or desire to be careful at my age. My grandson is -- of course -- "perfect". I could not imagine him any other way than what he is, now that he is here. But I really think this month begins a new role in my life as Elliot moves from infancy to young person-hood. Wish me luck in mastering this role perhaps a bit better than I did the roles of mother or daughter.

For all of you out there that have already done this and done it well -- I will seek words of wisdom from you. For those of you in the midst of figuring it all out, I welcome your company on this new journey together. For those who have not yet joined the ranks of grand-hood, I'll look forward to your envy (or sympathy -- as the case may be).

Not being terribly religious, I none the less feel blessed tonight. So let me close with counting three blessings:

1) Elliot
2) The incredibly mild weather we had this summer
3) My pending early retirement