Here’s another chance we have to nurture another soul who has the potential to do great things in this world. And by great, I mean bring kindness to others. Everything else is noise and details.
That one stanza really stands out from the rest of the blessing. I’ve thought about that exact stanza a lot in the past. But right now, the events of the day in our country, coupled with the birth of my first grandson, it brings a very different kind of poignancy to the sentiments. When I think about how dark I can get by perseverating on politics and the cruelty of this administration, these four lines help to make me a better person. As my grandson grows, I hope he’ll learn from me about “the art of disappointment.”
Even in the midst of utter chaos, life continues to have its way producing more life. His birth reminded me of what really matters. Now, to help him grow so he can change this world for the better.
Hi Kert, welcome to the miracle of second chances! If there was anything you did as a parent that disappointed you or your child, the parent of this baby, you have a tabula rasa to change that or those things with your child’s baby. My grandchildren are beings with whom I did not get it wrong. What an immense gift that is. Enjoy! Daniel
GREAT sentiments, Daniel! Thank you. I am beyond lucky and fortunate in that both of my kids have grown up into amazing adults. My daughter is already and amazing mom watching her love on this new little one. We are blessed here.
Congratulations, Grandpa! He is adorable! You are absolutely right, the grandparent gig is by far, THE BEST! Hope you'll still find the time to get on Substack! ENJOY! All the best to the whole family!
Congratulations to you, Grandpa, and to Jonah's parents and the whole family! Enjoy every moment. I have no doubt you will be an awesome influence on his life. You are blessed to have each other. I am so happy for you!
Hi Kert, a moment to clarify my earlier comment. My adult child is also an amazing person and parent.I am the one disappointed in my responses to my child at times in the past. My child never doubted love from us or being of the highest value by us. I could have been a better Dad but per my adult child’s evaluation evaluation, I was pretty darn good. As proof of that, we cared for our grandchildren while both parents worked from birth to school age and then before and after school until they were older. Daniel
Oh, bless you Daniel. I certainly did not mean to imply anything other than this. I just wanted to share something more along the line of me not having any regrets whatsoever in how we raised our children. Which means as well disappointments were never clung to over time. Did disappointments happen, yes, of course, we’re human. But we quickly learned from them and then moved on without the memories of any disappointment lingering. Disappointments are a lot about expectations as well—and we now live a life in which we do not put much effort into having expectations. So, with my new grandson, I have no need to start over after learning lessons from past disappointments. We’re going to do the exact same thing—and empower him, just like empowered our own two children, to lead his own life of excellence with confidence, humility, love and learning. If he learns from us to simply bring his best game to each moment, and not worry at all about outcomes, then he’ll live his life with excellence.
None of this is to suggest you, or any other parent, are any less of a parent.
Oh my gosh, this is beautiful, fantastic news! Congratulations to you and your family, Kert. Welcome, precious Jonah. You are blessed to have one another. Enjoy your new gig!
I’m thrilled for you and your new gig, Kert. Your grandson won’t know it for awhile, but he is fortunate to have you as a grandfather. Congratulations!
I love how you phrased this, Susan. Thank you. I really needed some beautiful in this world—and am so grateful I can devote more energy now to something that truly is beautiful.
Congratulations! Beautiful baby - welcome to the world! We can make it a great place to be together ❤️
Thank you Lindsay! I love that sentiment.
Here’s another chance we have to nurture another soul who has the potential to do great things in this world. And by great, I mean bring kindness to others. Everything else is noise and details.
Wow, this is so wonderful in every way, Kert! Jonah is a lucky little guy to have you gigging for him ; )
And this passage from the poem, just wow:
"Blessed be those who will cross your life
With even the dark gifts of hurt and loss
That will help to school your mind
In the art of disappointment."
That one stanza really stands out from the rest of the blessing. I’ve thought about that exact stanza a lot in the past. But right now, the events of the day in our country, coupled with the birth of my first grandson, it brings a very different kind of poignancy to the sentiments. When I think about how dark I can get by perseverating on politics and the cruelty of this administration, these four lines help to make me a better person. As my grandson grows, I hope he’ll learn from me about “the art of disappointment.”
Thank you Maia.
What a blessing, Kert! Congratulations! ❤️
Thank you Yolanda!
Even in the midst of utter chaos, life continues to have its way producing more life. His birth reminded me of what really matters. Now, to help him grow so he can change this world for the better.
Congratulations on the new grandbaby! And thank you for the beautiful thoughts!
Thank you Gay!
Awesome! Congrats to you and your family Kert. This is a wonderful blessing. You are going to do great.
And that’s the greatest thing, right? I don’t have to do a thing. I just have to BE his grandpa!!!
Welcome to the family Jonah Ryan ❤️ We love you! And Kert, I
told you 😊
BEST GIG EVER!!! Coming from a pro, I should never have doubted it.
Hi Kert, welcome to the miracle of second chances! If there was anything you did as a parent that disappointed you or your child, the parent of this baby, you have a tabula rasa to change that or those things with your child’s baby. My grandchildren are beings with whom I did not get it wrong. What an immense gift that is. Enjoy! Daniel
GREAT sentiments, Daniel! Thank you. I am beyond lucky and fortunate in that both of my kids have grown up into amazing adults. My daughter is already and amazing mom watching her love on this new little one. We are blessed here.
Congratulations, Grandpa! He is adorable! You are absolutely right, the grandparent gig is by far, THE BEST! Hope you'll still find the time to get on Substack! ENJOY! All the best to the whole family!
Many blessings and MUCH LOVE,
~Wendy💜
Thank you Wendy! That’s very kind of you.
Congratulations to you, Grandpa, and to Jonah's parents and the whole family! Enjoy every moment. I have no doubt you will be an awesome influence on his life. You are blessed to have each other. I am so happy for you!
I have finally joined your band, Cherie! We are so ready for this—his parents are amazing!
Wow, so beautiful, Kert. Congratulations! You’ll make a great grandpa. 💚🌈
Best side gig ever!!! Kiss those baby toes for me. Super Congratulations, hope and love in the form of Jonah brightens our day.
Thank you Marjorie!
Hi Kert, a moment to clarify my earlier comment. My adult child is also an amazing person and parent.I am the one disappointed in my responses to my child at times in the past. My child never doubted love from us or being of the highest value by us. I could have been a better Dad but per my adult child’s evaluation evaluation, I was pretty darn good. As proof of that, we cared for our grandchildren while both parents worked from birth to school age and then before and after school until they were older. Daniel
Oh, bless you Daniel. I certainly did not mean to imply anything other than this. I just wanted to share something more along the line of me not having any regrets whatsoever in how we raised our children. Which means as well disappointments were never clung to over time. Did disappointments happen, yes, of course, we’re human. But we quickly learned from them and then moved on without the memories of any disappointment lingering. Disappointments are a lot about expectations as well—and we now live a life in which we do not put much effort into having expectations. So, with my new grandson, I have no need to start over after learning lessons from past disappointments. We’re going to do the exact same thing—and empower him, just like empowered our own two children, to lead his own life of excellence with confidence, humility, love and learning. If he learns from us to simply bring his best game to each moment, and not worry at all about outcomes, then he’ll live his life with excellence.
None of this is to suggest you, or any other parent, are any less of a parent.
Congratulations mate!
Thank you Ian!
Oh my gosh, this is beautiful, fantastic news! Congratulations to you and your family, Kert. Welcome, precious Jonah. You are blessed to have one another. Enjoy your new gig!
I’m thrilled for you and your new gig, Kert. Your grandson won’t know it for awhile, but he is fortunate to have you as a grandfather. Congratulations!
That’s lovely of you to write, Ryan. Thank you.
I’m the incredibly lucky one.
Congratulation Kert, your new grandchild is a beautiful and courageous addition to this world. 💗
I love how you phrased this, Susan. Thank you. I really needed some beautiful in this world—and am so grateful I can devote more energy now to something that truly is beautiful.
I believe any baby coming in now has a mission, they have made a courageous choice to bring more beauty into the world.
My Grandchildren bring me so much joy, I wish the same for you Kert x