Watching one’s grandchildren grow up is the ultimate payback for all the demands of parenting. One has the privilege of being close to the extraordinary and unrepeatable phenomenon of childhood without having to shoulder all the responsibility. But, like parenting, grandparenting is turning out to be full of surprises. Thus far it’s been a kinder, gentler learning curve—so much of what comes along is a spruced-up 21^st-century version of what I remember living through thirty or so years ago—but any learning curve is going to lead to unexpected vantage points. Continue reading →