Elin met the most wonderful man this weekend, her Great Grandpa. He is the most interesting, intelligent, fun, and handsome man I know. He can tell you stories of his youth, living on Chicago’s South Side, as if they had occurred yesterday. He recalls all of his friends’ names, the streets they lived on, their families, their religion, nationality (recalls a few words of Swedish), what they played, etc. His balance and strength have declined over the years, but overall he remains cheerful, engaging, funny, and extremely witty (my favorite trait of his).

Since Elin’s birth I have been itching to have the two meet. It is strange to think someday she will have these wonderful images of her eyeballing a man four generations her senior. To think 90 years of history separates and binds them.

Elin and I would like to thank my Aunt Caroline and Uncle Wally for housing, feeding, playing, and bathing (excluding me) us this week. These two do not get enough credit for being Grandpa’s primary support and love.

Wally and Caroline become grandparents themselves in October. They were so excited to have the happy Elin in their home. Besides a near drowning they proved they are ready for the new addition to their family. They will make amazing grandparents.

N8

P.S. Elin is now crawling.