It’s been a bit more than a month since I turned 59.  As I consider my own transitions I’m also struck by those of my grandchildren.  Sam (5 years 9 months) is in his last week of Kindergarten.   We recently attended a show where he performed a Spanish dance with the entire class of Maxwell Elementary.  The children were in costume and paired up.  Sam looked so grown up!  It seems like just seconds since his birth made me a Grandma.  He and his 2 1/2 year old brother Gabriel have filled my heart.  They are more incredible than I could have imagined, and I have quite an imagination!

Sam teaches me about technology.  At age 2 he Skyped us early one morning from his bed, all by himself, using his mom’s iPad.   I myself didn’t know how to Skype without the help of my fellow grandparent (an engineer).  At age 3 1/2 Sam pointed out to me that my Nook could actually make sounds if you turned the volume up.  I didn’t know it had a volume control……

Sam and I teach each other.  He learns about nature from me as we go on long walks.  We often make no-bake cookies together,  and he says he’s lucky to have a grandma who’s an artist.  We’ve made many art “masterpieces” together.  Collaboration is a key word for us.  Here is some of Sam’s work in crayon and marker:

Crayon art patterns by my 5 year old grandson

Marker art patterns by my 5 year old grandson

Clearly the best transition during my 50’s is the one involving grand kids!