I have become my grandfather!

[chrisinhouston]

Well school started back this week here in the Houston area. My one family of 5 grand children who now live nearby all started back. Lane is in middle school and would normally catch the bus but he is playing on the football team so his dad drops him for practice at 6:30 in the morning before he heads off to work. My daughter in law takes Emily (4 1/2) to daycare and she heads to work. That leaves the other 3 to finish breakfast and get out the door. They can walk to school as it is only 4 blocks away. The parents asked if I would mind coming by for the first week and escorting them to make sure all went well. So I arrive a bit early.... Kirstyn (10), Brian (8) and Sarah (6) are on the couch watching Sponge Bob Square Pants.

We head out the door at 7:20 and walk to the school. I wave goodbye and they run inside. I come back at 3:15 and wait in the shade of a pinetree as it is 97 degrees or so, I wear a broad brimmed straw hat. They come running out and we walk home and talk about the day. I quiz them, "did you learn anything? Did you get sent to the principle's office? Were there any good fights? How bad was the lunch?" They laugh.

And I remembered my own grandfather coming to meet me as I exited Flower Hill Elementary school back when I was in first grade, I guess it was 1962. He was British and always walked with a walking stick. He wore a straw hat on the sunny days. He asked me funny questions.

I guess I have become my grandfather.