Grandparenting

The summer of 2003 began in earnest the day we turned the clocks ahead triggering thoughts of long, sunny days in Maine with the grandchildren. Our own children, now ranging in age from 32 to 36, have provided the Moriarty clan with seven grandchildren ranging in age from newborn to 7.

This grandfather relishes time with each child as well as their young parents. The fact that our own children are now parents does not diminish the fact that they themselves still vie for the attention of their parents, now grandparents. This new dynamic creates unique and wonderful challenges and opportunities.

Meredith and I learned a valuable lesson from her parents about never interfering in any aspect of child rearing. We practice what we learned from that generation of grandparents who grew up in the Depression and served in World War II. To aid us in these efforts, we invoke the Code BLU Rule-Code BLU for an aging Old Blue! BLU stands for "better left unsaid" and has served our family very well each summer as we gather in increasing numbers in Maine. We're now 15 under one roof!

Having the privilege of intimacy with our grandchildren is a wonderful gift and we don't take it cavalierly. Grandparenting has another unique benefit-seeing our own children as parents-that's the real high.

It is with great clarity and almost in slow motion that we as grandparents can witness the development of our grandchildren and once again experience first words, first steps, first reading, first bike riding. With our own children, these special moments are just a blur. "Watch me, watch me" used to drive us crazy when our own children screamed for our attention. Such cries from our grandchildren are music to our ears. And, what's wrong with an ice cream cone an hour before dinner? Why nothing, of course.

Such generational dichotomies make life "between the generations" truly worth living.

The summer's activities of hiking, boating, swimming, tennis, biking and eating lobster keep our household jumping. Making time for special one-on-one projects with each of the grandchildren often results in some of the season's special highlights. This year, pollywogs and moss/lichen terrariums were a real hit. Swimming in Sargent Mountain Pond after a few hours' hike provided an added bonus of up close encounters with bullfrogs. The five and seven year olds learned what was to become of their pollywog "Norman."

At the end of each summer we record the events of the season in a gallery of enlarged candid snapshots in an upstairs hallway which the young ones call "the secret passage." Without sounding too sappy, this area of the cottage has become a retreat for Meredith and me. We wait for those few days when we are, at last alone, and "Harbor Ledge" is quiet. Yet, where do we go? We rush to that gallery and can "hear" every sound of the summer.

Grandparenting is one of life's most special assignments. Our time together each year in Maine is cherished.

Who's Who in the photos

Little boy with green bowl: Liam Moriarty (1) son of Brooks Moriarty '91
Adults: Meredith and Phil Moriarty
Inside photo: Samantha (2½), with Christopher Whittier (2) son of Katie Moriarty Whittier
Boy on bear lawn sculpture: Conor Moriarty (3) son of Brooks
In front of marina: Jay (7) Samantha (2½) Brian (5) kids of Phipps '89 & Anita Moriarty