PEOPLE: GRANDCHILDREN

“What just happened”? Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s and here we are two weeks into 2020. A few days ago I sat down with a nice glass of merlot ( an appreciated gift from a family member) and reflected on my most memorable time over the holidays. To all those who showered me with wine, family pictures, shoes, and goodies all are being put to good use. However what impressed me most ( hold on-hold on) were my grandchildren.

My wife and I have a total of eleven grandchildren. At family gatherings it looks like a bus stop for a tour group filing out to see the Grand Canyon. The gender break down, nine girls and two guys. Needless to say when presents are being opened by the females this old guy on occasion comments ” if that is a skirt the maker forgot to make the bottom half”. And I am reminded, ” this is what everyone is wearing”.

The ages range from teenagers to young college graduates and college students. Two grads. now, three in the process. What is impressive is the social culture each brings to the table. Teenagers seem to know as much about the world of adulthood as the young adults know about being a teenager. Conversation bounces around the room like Putin addressing the United Nation. ” Did I hear what I thought I heard”? It reminds me of the Pac Man video where he is trying to eat the world. Yes young people there was a video game called Pac Man.

Here is the “WOW” factor with MY grandchildren:

My oldest has been a college golf coach for several years. Not only can she play the game, she has the uncanny ability to take a complicated game and make you understand it is more mental than physical. She and I were playing around a few years back and I asked if she could give me any pointers to help my game? Her reply, ” have you ever considered another pastime”?

Two of my GC’s. are well on their way to become teachers. Parents rest easy , I know these two personalities. With their savvy and compassion for children they are in good hands.

One of my GC’s is a freshman at a major university and is on the women’s swim team. Odds are All-American status is in the near future and she may just participate in the Olympic Games one day.

Four down and more to come. One of my GC’s. is a criminal justice grad. She interned with the ATF her senior year in college and soon discovered the men and women that make our world safe are so unappreciated. This was not a deterrent, just not the right fix at this time. She now has a budding career as a marketer for a major wine supplier in NC.

Now for the rest of the brood as I loving refer too as the “young and restless”. Trying to follow there conversation at Christmas, ” Did I hear what I thought I heard”? If I were a betting man the world is their’s for the taking, All smarter than it may appear on the surface at times, but lurking below that shell is the hope of tomorrow. We all know the story of the frog and princess. Among these GC.’s , I see engineers, or scientist, doctors, teachers, and yes maybe a career in baseball. As long as it is associated with a Yankee organization. (Forgive me Orioles.) I know what you are thinking. “Hey old guy, how can you sit in your rocker and be so self assured”? Simple, I know the stuff their parents are made of. ( Did I just end a sentence with a preposition?) To my Rad GC.’S. , you catch my drift.

PS: As long as golf carts have pencils with erasers, I will continue to play my defunct golf game. As of today, only two golf courses have requested me to leave.