Surprise, Surprise, Surprise

It's been a few weeks since my daughter and her two children have moved in with us while her husband is training to become a deep sea diver. I must confess that I thought I had this grandparenting thing down pat. After all, I've been one now for four years and have felt pretty good about the job I thought I was doing.

I was wrong.

My grandson Noah has proved to be quite skillful at pointing out just how much I miss the mark. He has sized up my weak points quickly and efficiently, and attempts to use them (in his own sweet and very charming way) to his advantage when I am not aware. Fortunately, my daughter Rachel sees right through this and prevents him from capitalizing on my inconsistencies or weariness.

I have also discovered that I just don't have the same level of tolerance for crying as I used to have. Chloe pointed that out to me last week. And I feel very, very badly about this.

One wonderful aspect of them living with us is that I can see first-hand just how incredibly competent Rachel is as a mother. She is light years ahead of where I was at her age. She reminds me so much of her mother.

Another wonderful surprise is learning just how funny and intelligent Noah is. I enjoy his company tremendously and am amazed daily at his capacity to learn. And our little Chloe has one of the most engaging smiles I have ever seen in a baby. She smiles and laughs with all of her heart. And I melt every time she does.

I am surprised at how well the children have adjusted to being moved across the ocean to live in a completely different world without their father present. I am painfully aware at what a poor substitute I am for Michal.

I am not surprised at how well Rachel has done. She is a fighter and a survivor like her mother. And, like her mother, she is very gracious about having to survive and adjust. Her children's happiness and well-being have not skipped a beat.

I am surprised by the constant joys that come my way by having them all here. I get to make up for some of the time they were gone. I get to share relaxing cups of coffee with Rachel while we chat about the latest charming demonstration by Noah, the latest diving adventures of Michal, the newest trick by Chloe, or the latest surprising elimination from the many reality shows that I must admit make up some of my summer fun.

Children are wonderful. They are full of surprises that we do not expect and are not always prepared to face. That is the wonder of children.