16 Comments
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cynthia wasserberger's avatar

So glad it went well - adorable photo and like the cool bandana that doubles as a bib!

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LRB's avatar

I spent a lot of time looking for cute bibs! Very happy you noticed! He’s like a little railroad man.

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Josh Blumenthal's avatar

Like a late commuter, you will be running to catch him soon enough.

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E.Z. Prine's avatar

Totally adorable. You are really blessed to have little Max in your life. I love your description of his laugh.

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Lily Pond's avatar

Your grandson is adorable!!!

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Rebecca Roberts's avatar

<3 I miss Max already, too!

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I Read This Over Shabbos's avatar

Awww I felt this. Some days I wish I was a grandparent already (lol, my kids are 4 and 2), but I can imagine that feeling of missing them when you have to give them back. Enjoy sleeping through the night though!

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LRB's avatar

The suspense of the cheerio shoveling is both stressful and wholly satisfying. Very Hitchcock. Max’s mom (aka me) loves how you love him.

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Josh Blumenthal's avatar

I think you are upset that your investment was not as successful as you had hoped. What investment, some readers may ask. Well, tell the truth. Did you not arrange the destination wedding so you could have the five days? Are you not now thinking you should have chosen a more remote destination that would have required a longer stay away?

If the parents are not subscribers, tell us what you're planning next. We won't tell.

I feel your pain, recall it well.

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Zan Tafakari's avatar

I wish I could say I know this feeling - and I know I can't wait to be blessed with grandkids at some point in the future. Thanks for sharing David!

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Renée Eli, Ph.D.'s avatar

Such a beautiful sentiment.

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David Roberts's avatar

Thanks Renee!

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Noha Beshir's avatar

babies at that age are such an incredible blessing and just so insanely adorable. I love your description of all his little delightful characteristics: the cheerios that miss his mouth, his love of turning the page rather than the plot. So warm and evocative.

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David Roberts's avatar

Thanks Noha!

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Ann Richardson's avatar

I am also fascinated by the grandparent-grandchild relationship. I think it is like no other – and can be a very special one. We have two grandsons, both living in London where we live so we see them frequently, now in their teens. You will see one Substack post about teenage grandchildren (which probably feels yonks away, but it catches up with you sooner than you can believe).

But I have written about all sorts of aspects of this relationship elsewhere as well. In particular, I compiled a whole book setting out grandmothers’ (but it could equally be grandfathers’) views about being a grandmother, called Celebrating Grandmothers. See https://mybook.to/grandmothers. Its USP is that they were anonymous, so they could say what they really feel as opposed to what they think they are supposed to feel.

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David Roberts's avatar

Can't wait to dip in to that.

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