The New Kid In Town

Gavin and Grandma Martha

It’s not every day that a child is born who changes the way you are living to such a degree and in such a profound way that you have no idea what day it is or what time it is, and you don’t really care.

A month ago that child entered into my life. He is the new kid in town, weighing in at 9 lbs, 2 ounces, 52cm long; it feels as though he has always been here. He is a sweet cherubic boy. His name is Gavin Arthur and he is our grandson! He is our first grandchild, one that I never really thought I would have. My children were always adamant about not having children and so while I watched my girlfriends fuss over and spoil their grandkids, I really didn’t expect any of my own. I always hoped, of course, but I knew in reality that if I did become a grandparent it would be well into my senior years when I was in a wheelchair or worse, bed ridden.

So the delight that I am still walking upright and without a cane makes having a grandchild so much more interesting and fun!

Gavin has come into our lives and stolen our hearts. He sleeps and eats and burps and really does not do anything else of great interest. Yet I still can’t stop staring at him, examining him, looking at every little detail, from the tip of his nose to the base of his toes. He is perfect to me, his angelic face looks up with such innocence and trust and he gurgles and goos and often will smile. My friends insist he can’t be smiling yet at you – “It must be gas” – and I play along and say, laughing, “Of course it’s gas.“ But in my heart I know he is smiling at us and I know he is glad to be here with his parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins and friends. He is a baby who is surrounded by love and his smile lets us know that he is happy.

Gavin Arthur is a name that suits him, a strong name. One that will serve him well, no doubt, over the span of his lifetime. Taken from the Knights of the Round Table, both names symbolize character, strengths, loyalty, and wisdom. This child’s name bears great meaning.

When I am with him the world around me wastes away and there is just the two of us. Holding this infant in my arms, I feel a gentle bliss come over me as I stare down at his face and wonder who he looks like, or what he will grow up to be, or I wonder if I will be around to watch him grow into a man. Existential questions enter my mind: the meaning of life, all of the mysteries of the universe seem to congeal together as I look at my grandson, my son’s son, this perfect little human being looking up at me with such curiosity and trust. It does make one ponder the whole meaning of life, does it not?

Gavin and his Grandma and Grandpa

What is even more confounding is watching your child nurture his child. To witness your child, your baby boy, tenderly, lovingly look after his own child. There is this surreal feeling surrounding it. Watching as Gavin’s parents struggle with all of those same things that we did with our own children. It is a joy to observe my son and his girlfriend care for their son with such respect and love and hope! It is a gift to be able to observe these precious moments that Gavin’s young parents share with their son.

There is nothing like being a grandparent; it opens up a whole new world of emotions and love and hope for the future. This sweet baby boy has changed so many lives in just six weeks of his being here. Imagine what he will accomplish in the next ninety years or so.

Image Credits

All photos by Martha Farley. All rights reserved.

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