As I wrote before, someone asked me why I didn’t blog about my grandchildren so I decided I would blog on each of them. It made me not just DO grandparenting but to PONDER it.

 It has been a journey that I value and I thank you for walking with me.

I have written about 4 of my grandchildren so I have REALLY wanted to do this one even though, of all of my 5 grandchildren, Alex would be the one who would tell me ‘no worries, Granny’.

Which is precisely why I want to write it so badly.

I have referred in my writings to the things he has said through the years because he has always been a deep thinker.  After all, he is the one who asked me at a red light how red could make me stop since it’s just a color.  I think that I said, "HUH?"

And then we talked about people deciding together what is best for all.

He was about 5 when we had that discussion.

He doesn't ask quite as many questions now but he continues to bring to life the phrase  “still waters run deep".

Alex appears to shrug most things off at the same time that he ponders most things deeply.  He has the unique ability to do both.  And to filter it all.  

What I believe he does is ponder deeply enough to find that MOST things CAN BE shrugged off.

Because of this, he brings balance.  I pray he can continue this way;  we need more balance on this earth.  It will serve this planet well.  It will serve him well. 

As his granny, it serves me well.

Among the traits that bring him balance are a love of sports alongside a love of music...and, most definitely, his sense of humor.

I remember so many times when he and I have simply exchanged a ‘look’ because we have seen the same humor in something.  One of the first times that we both still  remember happened when he was just a toddler and those times continue now as he moves through his teens.  

Of course, I also remember when he got called out on it in class a few years back and his mother called to tell me that this was something he got from our side of the family so I needed to fix it!  Since I am EVER working on it in myself, I am pretty sure I haven’t ‘fixed’ it in him but I did try to share some tools in managing it….

….like knowing who, where and when to share the humor you see in things….

…and one of those places is in texting with your granny.

I cannot put into words how much I LOVE texting to and fro with him.  (I recommend it HIGHLY to any grandparent out there. It connects us in the 'here and now' in the way that the 'here and now' connects!)

Thank you, Alex Joseph, for being the kind of young man who is willing to connect 'here and now' with someone from 'there and then'.

What. A. Gift. You. Are To. Me!

Here is how he began one of his most recent texts to me:

“Hey, you two old farts.  You still up for the mission trip?"

Mission and humor.

Faith and fun.

Balance.

I love you, you young fart!