"Cleanliness becomes more important when godliness is unlikely." - P.J. O'Rourke

It's 6:30 Sunday morning. I'm sitting in Steve & Michelle's living room with a cup of coffee while Steve gives a first look at the Sunday paper, dominated by headlines of this morning's events 15 years ago.
In the background I can hear Jason beginning to stir, and occasional sounds from the baby monitor keeping track of Emily's slumber.
Life is good.

Yesterday we celebrated grandson Caedon's 11th birthday with a family gathering at their place. He's growing into a pretty cool little guy - cheerful, full of energy, and laughing easily.

Several years ago Josh & Aubri bought what could graciously be called a fixer-upper from the bank, and have worked harder than any two people could have to turn it into an impressive home.

Better, "are turning"; the work continues. The current focus is the back yard where they've done an impressive job of transforming the pool area into something any group of trade professionals would be proud of. Seriously, you'd have trouble convincing anyone the work was done by a husband and wife team doing many of the projects for the first time. Everything from designing and executing a waterfall feature, to laying a gazillion pavers in an intricate pattern, to this trick LED pool light that changes colors. Still to come: a built-in BBQ and a patio cover.

In a few hours we'll go to church with Josh and Aubri and their two, and then to the soft opening of a restaurant owned by some of their friends that will serve only paleo food. Then I'll drive back in time to meet with Liz and her fiance, whom I've never met. She and her family attended Pathway back in the day, and Liz is a remarkable young lady who will graduate with honors from ASU in May as a Nurse Practitioner specializing in mental health. I am honored to have been asked to do their wedding later that month, and I'm eager to meet the guy who won her heart. He must be pretty impressive.

OK, a bit of self-revelation that may come in the form of a confession.

I loved being a parent. Not sure I did such a good job of it, but I enjoyed being a part of the process by which, with God's gracious intervention, two boys turned into really fine men, husbands, and fathers. And while memory is a tricky thing, I've found being a parent to have been a more enjoyable experience than being a grandparent.

I think that has everything to do only with me. I've found it difficult to enjoy the energy and unbounded enthusiasm of youngsters. And sometimes they act so much like...kids.

So here we are back in Phoenix, having been away for about 5 months, and I'm responding very differently.
I'm turning into a grandad.
Caedon and his early teen sister (13, or 14?) Megan are turning into genuinely pleasant, enjoyable young people. Their parent's diligence is leading them into lives of kindness, respectfulness, and virtue. Yes, there are potential pitfalls lurking, but I'm very optimistic for both of them, and genuinely enjoy their presence.

Steve & Michelle's two are much younger. Jason is four and Emily is just over a year old, and I can see their equally enjoyable personalities emerging. Again, their mom & dad are thoughtful, attentive to all aspects of the process, and wisely taking the long view on parenting. What more could children want or need? In the meantime Jason has an eager mind that's always working and Emily is already an adorable bundle of "she's gonna be something special."

I cannot explain why it took me this long to become a grandad. I really wish it hadn't. But as I sit here this Sunday morning I'm thoroughly enjoying being around these four youn' uns and their very skilled parents.

T'ank you, Fadder.