Elvis has left the building!

The New York Hertz clan was visiting for 4 days this past week and the energy flowed! Greta alone can charge up a room with just her look and add Amelia who gets chattier when excited and then there is their beautiful extroverted mother. Add to this my stoic quiet son, and you instantly have all the entertainment you could ask for.

Unfortunately the adults are sleep deprived and so not their perkiest, but Tricia seems to me much happier now that she is back in the adult world that values her skills. Erich needs to be sitting in front of his computer writing, but with all that female attention how can he pull him self away? ( Amelia told me what she loved about her Daddy the most was how patient he is).

And Greta Charlene, who makes me feel very special when she greets me with one of those running throwing herself into my arms greetings. She is very much starting to leave the two year old behavior behind and acting more and more like she's closing in on three. She has mellowed quite a bit and I'm guessing that the peer interaction at daycare has been good for her.

Then there's amazing Amelia with two missing front teeth, almost 7, going on 17, who treats me to having a slumber party with her every night. We have some very serious conversations snuggling in bed watching a movie. She is inquisitive, thoughtful, bright, and very concerned about other's feelings. And of course even with missing teeth she still is that beautiful child with the blond hair and the dimples and sparkling eyes.

Every time I see them I better understand what I am supposed to be doing with the rest of my life. I can only feel that my job with the time I have left is to everything I possibly can to make their world a little better, to be a role model for them in growing old gracefully despite the aches and pains, to stay engaged enough to use my life's hard gained wisdom to somehow leave them a legacy of values that will help them know what is most important.

Not being able to see them every day means I value more the days I do get with them, even though I struggle with my lack of energy. They are everything a nana could want in grand children. I am so proud of my son and now, daughter; they are surely doing something right.

To my son and his harem: I love you more than you could know until it's your turn to be t he grand parent!