New Life
Well, I’m a new grandpa. My daughter had a son yesterday. In days gone by, my wife would have been there to help, but she’s gone. So, the job fell to her sister. There’s not much a dad can do in this situation, because it’s all about the experience of childbearing. Moms do it, not the dads. The girl needs a female compatriot, and she has one. My wife’s sister had two children of her own.
It feels a little odd being on the outside looking in, but there’s no point making a fuss. And I’m fairly certain none is warranted. Besides, I think I’ve always been on the outside looking in. After conception, a dad’s role is mainly one of support, the mom does the hard work, sacrificing her body to bring a child into the world. So, it’s natural that kids would look to their mom for shelter and relief, which is why I’m sorry my kids lost their mom, because it’s not how things normally go, and I know she thought the world of them.
In the grand scheme of things, I think my main work is mostly done. I helped get the kids raised and took care of my wife in her dying days. In some sense, I’m little bit like a bull elephant, roaming the savannah, taking life a day at a time, waiting for a graceful end. In another sense, I’ve still got family and I’m well in touch with my children. I saw a son just yesterday and talked to his brother on the phone. In a few weeks, I’ll journey east to meet my grandson. And just like that life will go on.