I start work on my weekly post Monday mornings. It takes at least three rounds of editing with Libby Howard over three days to get it just right and another day or two to find just the right image.
(I once heard the voice of wisdom say, Whatever you do, do it well. I took it to heart.)
My blog routine gets me through the week. It got me through the pandemic. It keeps me focused. It’s familiar. It’s soothing.
This week that routine was routed. My son and twin granddaughters arrived from Albuquerque Sunday night.
YIKES. PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE.
My tranquil life was interrupted. But I’m not rattled. Why? Because I took this adage to heart years ago: I used to resent the interruptions of my life until I realized those interruptions were my life.
And to think that’s only the tip of the iceberg of my unfathomable wisdom!
I once asked my 85-year-old mother if she had any regrets. Only one, she said. And what’s that, Mom? Over the years I’ve gained much wisdom and none of my children seem to want it.
I have children. I know the feeling.
But all is not lost. I also have grandchildren.
So I took this week off in case my 12-going-on-17-year-old granddaughters wanted to sit at my feet to solicit my wisdom. I wanted to be available, fully present—not preoccupied with The Devil’s Gift.
Hence, I didn’t spend any more time on this post other than to update the time my granddaughters spent at my feet each day.
Day 1. None
Day 2. None
Day 3. None
Day 4. None
Day 5. None.
Day 6. None
Oh well, they’re not my only grandchildren.
My six-year-old grandson found his mother’s copy of my new book and started reading it. As it turns out, the first dispatch (“Backseat Driver”) is about him at age three. Back then he couldn’t read. Now he can. I asked if my book was too hard for him to read. No, he said. I’m almost finished.
(I don’t think he possesses unfathomable wisdom—yet. But he is a wise guy.)
I have a surprise for him. At the book launch today, his 12-year-old cousins will read “Backseat Driver” from the stage.
He’ll either beam with pride and joy—or sue me.
* * *
PS: I hope to see and meet many of you at the book launch & signing event today (June 13) at 2 p.m. Bavarian Inn gazebo (or in the large tent, in case of rain). If you miss it, copies of 80 Dispatches from the Devil’s Domain are available at Four Seasons Books or on-line here.
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See Paula’s photo montage on the home page. Posted June 6.
Time my younger daughter, who graduates high school today, has spent at my feet yearning for wisdom- NONE! (Do we sense a theme here?)
I hope you have an overflowing — and fully vaxxed — crowd at the Bavarian today. Wish I could be there!
W.E.B. DuBois wrote, “Children learn more from what you are than what you teach.” While your grandchildren may not be gathering at your feet, nevertheless they are grasping much more than we’ll ever know!
I have come to recognize the gifts of “wisdom.” My daughter and grandson do not seek mine, they have become mine. Not a bad gig. We’ll see you at 2, and eagerly await listening to your grandaughter–Wisdom made manifest even as it individualizes as her own! Congratulations, Randy–for the splendid second publication and the wise(er?) family!