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(Wish I was the one that said that!) I have to say that becoming a grandmother has been a highlight of my life. And... that's saying something, because I have had a pretty wonderful and exciting life. I lived ten years overseas in the Middle East, Lived almost ten in Southeast Alaska. I've dove the waters of the Caribbean, the Pacific, the Red Sea, and even dipped my feet into the Mediterranean, although, sad to say, didn't get my face wet, there, but it could still happen! I have even hiked the jungles of South America-although, that was not my intent at the time. Point is... that, compared to all this, experiencing my grandkids have beat them all! Funny thing is that twenty something years ago, when I was young and didn't know any different, I can remember telling my kids, "Don't think you're gonna be bringing your kids to me to babysit! When I'm old and senile, I'll still be scuba diving, and hiking the jungles of Brazil!" Now, my kids bribe me with comments like, "Come on Mom, go eat with us, we'll bring the baby," or "Hey, you can go with us on vacation and keep the babies while we go out!" And... I do it! Ah well-such is life. I still dive, I still hike, but now I have little feet tagging along with me. Timing my steps to them is never a hindrance. I wouldn't want to walk too fast, I might miss one of the wonderful bugs of the forest that my grandson, Michael loves to stop and look at! Following is a "Sharon's Rambling" that I wrote right after my first grandbaby, Michael was born. My First Grandbaby Brings An Understanding January 1970-Brows arched, my mother turns away as tears fill her eyes. Stumbling slightly, she reaches for the car door and gets inside. I want to call her back and say I’m sorry, but wheels spin off rapidly drowning out my words. My insecurity as a new mom had caused me to cry out in resentment - hurting her feelings. Home a little over a week from the hospital, my mother and mother-in-law had been taking turns helping with the new baby. Problem was, it seemed to me that they felt they could take better care of him than I, and so, the culmination of my resentment was a hurtful outburst. But now, thirty-nine years later, I understand... November 1992-This past week I held my first grandchild in my arms. As he grunted and wriggled, tiny fingers came up to his face searching. A mixture of awe, pride and something else that I can't describe spread through me and I could feel tears flowing freely. Now I understand... I know now what she must have felt and how badly she wanted to just touch him. Now, as the grandmother, I know what she went through, and I know what will soon happen with my daughter, The well of emotions she is going to experience before she ever feels them. For the time, bathing in the glory of new motherhood, she shares her treasure with you, proud of her accomplishment, but you know how protective she'll soon become, defending her right to bathe him, feed him and protect him. Like a mother bear, she will measure an invisible area around her and the new baby, daring anyone to infringe. Bringing the tiny body close to my face, I breath in his baby smell. He coos and gives a little smile. Wriggling, he searches for the milk. With a sigh, I hand him back. As she gives warnings against us spoiling him, rocking or holding him too much, I remember the same words on my lips so long ago, and just nod. I ask if you can spoil a child with too much love? She smiles and leans over and gives him a little kiss. As her hand brushes across his raven hair, I realize the real danger here is Mom spoiling him. She speaks of her fears of being a good mother, with a smile, I give her my words of wisdom. Spoil him. Spoil him with love and everything else will fall in place. Our
words are interrupted by a little burp of contentment as he nestles
closer to her breast. I reach out and tiny fingers wrap around mine as
if giving approval of our discussion. Again I whisper, "I'm
sorry, Mama, now, I understand."
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 Michael Robert Mister no nonsense, Michael is sure to keep everyone in line and on their toes!  Devan Michael! Devan is an excellant ball player!  Jody (Josephine) Jody lightens everyone's life with her bubbling personality and humor!  Maraelia Adora Trouble with a big T, Miss Maraelia will have Daddy hopping through hoops to keep the boys away from her! She gets to looking more and more like her namesake, her beautiful Aunt Adora, everyday!
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