The grandness of grandparents...

I am excited for our child to experience so many things. Somethings are question marks: Will he enjoy sports? Will our love of music translate to him? Will he be able to reconcile his father's preference for the Red Sox with his own passionate devotion to the Yankees?

Thankfully, not everything is a question mark. I know, without hesitation, that our son will enjoy his experience with his grandparents. On every front, he will be met with an older generation that loves, cares, prays for, and nurtures him. With the exception of my husband and me, so few children have been given such a well-rounded gift of love and acceptance.

In my father in law, our son will see a wry sense of humor. He will be the butt of jokes and recipient of puns at a record level. He will see an oldest Eschler son, whose own oldest son has now born an oldest Eschler son - the direct lineage to which he belongs. His Grandfather Eschler also has a not-so-secret, quasi-magical workshop. In this workshop, Grandpa Eschler whittles ordinary chunks of wood to trains, cars, tractors, trucks, and any other vehicle imaginable. Having had a grandfather of my own who suffered through hours of wood crafting, I think this aspect of my husband's father is one of the things that excites me most about this relationship in our son's life!

In my own father, our son will see selfless devotion. He will learn the importance of a strong work ethic, careful planning and devotion to family. He will see a man who will spare no inconvenience, expense, or difficulty to ensure healthy and full development into a man who is respectable and respectful. Having been given the protective cloak of this man for my whole life, I place my confidence unwaveringly in his ability and right to develop and shape a relationship with the next generation.

In my mother in law, our son will get the benefits of a grandmother who is not only chomping at the bit to smother him in love and affection, but also a woman who will be endlessly patient and devoted to him. She is the ultimate provider of unconditional love and relentless grace. In her own son's life, she has been a constant source of love and acceptance, despite even the challenges that were provided regularly. Her patience has been demonstrated already in the beautiful blanket she's made for our little boy - something he will be wrapped in for his trip home from the hospital.
And, lastly, in my mother, our son will get wit and quickness and loudness. My mother is effusive and irrepressible in her love. My mother will carry on her father's tradition of spontaneous, undeniable exclamations of love and loosely controlled expressions. She will defend him when he is at loss for defense and call him out when he is in blatant violation of family law. She will make sure he eats well and smells nice. She'll make sure he knows the virtue of small governments and internal moral compasses. She'll impart passion and love and excitement and expression in its purest form. Already hoping for an Alex P. Keaton, she has wholly endorsed my love of argyle sweater vests and is ready to assume her role in April.
My husband and I share stories about the wonderful memories we each have of our grandparents. Sadly, all of our grandfathers have passed on. Nathaniel still has 2 wonderful grandmothers around (1 is 100 YEARS OLD!), and I've got one. While I am still disappointed that my Nani could not be at our wedding, I am thankful she knew and approved of Nathaniel.

It's probably the time of year that has me reflecting on the value and benefits of grandparents. The anniversaries of both grandfathers' passings are in November. My grandmother's one year anniversary is coming up on New Year's Eve.

Even from the other side of the ocean, my grandparents were forces with which to be reckoned in my life. Nathaniel reports a similar experience with his grandfathers. I want, so much, to give our little boy even a fraction of the magic that marked my childhood that was fostered under the watchful eyes of my grandparents. Thankfully, the grandparents we have to work with are a great starting point for that sort of early life!