Pre-K Begins

This week, in retrospect, has been one of the more monumental in my grandson's young life, and an interesting one for my daughter and me as well.

While my son and his family had to endure a stretch with no air conditioning in a South Texas heat wave, my grandson, Phenton, completed his first week of school. Pre-K, that is. What a momentous time it is to be cut loose from that first apron string. It is one of the joys of life to be able to live these times through the eyes of someone so young, and remember what we can of the time when we were there, too.

Grandparenting gives a perspective that is one step further removed in a way, but one permutation closer in another. Sometimes a parent, particularly a young one, will miss some of the significance, and may be unable to see as completely through the eyes of a young child, as can a grandparent, whose life experience has taught a great deal more. This is a wonderful time for a grandparent.

On day one, Mommy and Papa had to accompany little Phen into the cafeteria, and stay for about a half hour. Day two saw Mommy back at work, with Papa doing the escort service, this time for a few minutes less. On Day four Phen, with all the rest of his classmates, too, was able to walk into the building in single file with none of us parental types tagging along. A big moment for all concerned, accompanied in those who stood and watched from behind, by a sigh representing something between relief and anxiety.

Mana Maker

Danno's Mana may not flow from heaven (who's to say?), but as long as it continues to flow I figure I've still got a shot at working things out. My son planted the seed. Now let's see if the darn thing grows.

Even though the soil is a bit overworked (who isn't these days?), it looks like this thing is trying to germinate. Grow, baby, grow!