Learning from children

We all could learn a thing or two from our children and grandchildren. My 3-year-old grandson stayed overnight at my house, and being with this pleasant and appreciative young man during play time, story time, bed time, and breakfast was a reminder of how gratifying it can be to spend time with someone who is polite, kind, and courteous. I must have heard "Oh, thanks, Nana" 20 times. I also heard "That's so nice of you, Nana" more than once. His utterances of common courtesy were genuine and appropriate. At one point he said to me: "Nana, we are having so much fun!" We were sitting at the breakfast table having conversation over cereal—nothing more, but yes, we were having fun.

I don't often hear such common courtesies or expressions of gratitude in the adult world—not in my world of work and certainly not in public places such as the grocery store. Acts of kindness are even more rare. And if I'm honest, I must say that I don't utter these courtesies or perform acts of kindness as often as I should. In other words, my grandson's model for such civility is not me. No, he is the model, and I am the learner.

Thank you for reading.

Blueberries

One of my favorite parts of summer is watching the color of my blueberries develop. I was delighted this week when, returning from travels for both work and pleasure, I discovered the emerging blue color of the berries. My grandson and I had been watched them closely from tiny blossoms to small green berries. He saw the first color a couple of weeks ago, and he responded with raised eyebrows and an open mouth. But I had to explain to him that the berries needed a little more time to develop and ripen. They are so close now—a few can be plucked for sampling each day, but in a couple of weeks we'll have a full harvest from the two shrubs that bear the biggest and sweetest berries.

What moves me

What could be better than a glass of wine, a Springsteen album, and a blank page!

I've been listening to Springsteen since 1975, and his music still moves me, sometimes to tears, 36 years and counting. Geez! Was it really that long ago that I first began this relationship? It seems like yesterday that I saw Springsteen in Knoxville, Tennessee (I think it was 1976). The initial concert date was cancelled and moved to a smaller venue, which was thrilling to the true Springsteen fan. It meant we'd be more up close and personal. And we were! We rocked long and hard. I especially remember 10th Avenue Freeze Out. It has always been my favorite. I've seen Springsteen in concert four times (Knoxville, Memphis, Raleigh, Atlanta), and I'd go again in a heartbeat! What a show! What a storyteller!

One of my favorite Springsteen lines: "Spare parts and broken hearts keep the world turnin' around." After reporting, before teaching, I worked a couple of years for a heavy equipment repair company, and I used to have the Springsteen lyric pasted on my computer.

Oh, but I have lots more favorites. Find a Springsteen album or tune in to E Street Radio and just listen. You will be glad you did. 

In the years to come, Springsteen's voice will help our great grandchildren understand us.