My Granddaughter

One of the reasons, besides laziness, that I haven't posted much recently is that my daughter, Shelley, and granddaughter, Eloen, have moved here from California. It's a big transition for all of us and we've all been eager, if not downright anxious, to see Eloen happy and settled here. I think she is, now, even though when she plays with her puzzle map of the United States she likes to move Texas and California closer together.

The real point of this post, though, is just to wax rapturous for a moment, as only a grandmother can, about this wonderful child, what a gift she is, how enriched my life has beome because she is here. She is a walking reminder of what living in the moment is like, what it is to be really, truly brave, and how much fun being alive is. Bright as a button, scary bright, she taps into the child in each of us with her questions, her invitations, and her enthusiasm, and staggers us with her thoughtful observations.

She loves her Nana and Grandpa fiercely; and how surprising to be thought really interesting and important at our advanced ages!

All of who and how she is, of course, has been facilitated by her mother. It is because of Shelley that Eloen accurately applies words like "glorious" and "lovely" to the people and things she loves, and embodies both those qualities herself.

I think I can predict that there will be more on Eloen to come. Stay tuned...