We had a baby.  My daughter Hilary the principal gave birth to a little girl on December 30th.  Beth Scarlett Cymrot was born on 12-30 at 12:30 pm, weighing a petite 5 lbs 14 oz.  I have never seen so small a baby. And so cute and sweet.

Being the first grandchild, the start of the next generation, this was new turf.  Thinking of my child as a parent takes some getting used to. So does thinking of me as a grandfather, especially since I have been known to act like a child myself I am sometimes reminded.  How did that happen?

Surely having a grandchild is not about me - it is about the little baby.  But in the midst of this new little life and all the love our large family has poured on her, thoughts of my own mortality bubble up.  I am suddenly pushed a little down the line of life.  Move along, keep moving, I hear in my head.

I calculate how old I will be at her bat mitzvah, college granduation, wedding.  Will I be here? I don't want to be the memory candle at the party.

I have heard that grandchildren are God's gift for getting old.  I certainly don't feel old.  Little Beth Scarlett though certainly is a gift.  I love you, our little baby.