A year and a half ago Mary and I had no grandchildren, now we have two! My grandson Christian is now fifteen months old, and our first granddaughter, Elle Kennedy Wehbe, was welcomed into the world three weeks ago!
She arrived six weeks early and is still in the premie unit at the hospital. We expect her to be home in a few days, as she is gaining weight every day. She is doing great.
For spring break we went to Chicago. That is something I never thought I’d say.
No pool bars, warm beaches, and outdoor dining. Nope, we got cold, rain, sleet, and a snow storm. But you know what? We had a great time!
We stayed at a place called The Neighborhood Hotel, a restored old stone edifice that was just four blocks from my daughter Landon and son-in-law Ramsey’s apartment.
In the morning we would walk over to their place and play with and take care of Christian so his parents could go to the hospital and look after Elle, and so Ramsey could continue his cardiology research.
Throughout the week there were challenges. Walking through a sleet storm pushing a toddler in a carriage while pulling a wagon with his stuff so he could spend the night with Mary and me is no day at the beach. Christian had a cold and would sneeze in my face whenever he suspected things were getting too relaxing. He is non-stop movement, so you have to follow him everywhere so he doesn’t crash into the corner of a table, the arm of a chair, or fall on Ramsey’s elderly, overweight cat, Jasmin, who seems to hate anything that moves.
Christian and I bonded very early on, and he loves me to hold him. He also loves mechanical things and can spend a long time figuring them out. This is fine when you are talking about him sitting on the floor playing with an old tv remote he calls his mo-mo. It’s a bit more of a challenge when he is determined to figure out how the lock and chain on the front door work. I would stand in front of the door for twenty minutes at a time holding the twenty five pound little man as he studied the fascinating workings of a door knob and locks. We probably did this four hundred times during the week. They say the reconstruction surgery on my right shoulder should be successful.
One day Mary and I slipped away and had lunch at the Ralph Lauren restaurant next to the clothing store. As you might suspect it is a rich combination of heavy wood, Persian rugs, gold framed oil paintings, all coming together to look like the dining and bar area of heritage country club. The only thing missing is a Donald Ross golf course behind it on Michigan Ave. We snagged the table next to a glowing fireplace and I ordered a Bloody Mary and a lobster roll, which cost the exact amount of of one of Ralph’s suits.
I didn’t care it was bliss. Then it was time to return to Landon’s apartment for further study of door knobs and locks and chains.
Mary did a fantastic job with baths and food, and I loved playing with Christian, but one thing was hanging over my head all week. Anyone who knows me well is aware that borrowing trouble is a skill I have honed since the day my mother and father and my brother and I were evicted from our home on Shore Road in South Lyme, Connecticut.
I can play movies all day in my head about what situation could go horribly wrong, and the latest film is “CRYING TODDLER ON A PLANE!” We were taking Christian back with us from Chicago at the end of the week to give Landon and Ramsey time to recover and focus on Elle.
Most of us have experienced the scene of settling into your seat and then looking up to see some poor soul carrying a baby down the aisle. “PLEASE DON’T SIT NEXT TO ME, OH PLEASE GOD, NOT NEXT TO ME!”
Every day during the week I could picture myself with a screaming, crying toddler with a bad cold making the entire two hour flight miserable for all. I could imagine the pilot coming on the mike and saying “Ladies and gentlemen we are so sorry but we must make an emergency landing in Lima, Ohio because of the asshole in 10B who obviously is deeply hated by his grandchild.”
I prayed everyday for at least not too bad of an experience. And you know what? My prayers were answered. Through all of the horrors of airline travel today, going through TSA, checking a stroller, climbing over someone to get in my seat with a baby in my arms, the rough weather (we flew around tornadoes), Christian was perfect. Not a whimper. He snuggled into my left arm, Mary read him books, and believe it or not, he fell asleep and woke up in a great mood. We changed planes and still, perfect! I have since changed my will and left everything to him.
The learning moment here is this…I again borrowed trouble. For a week. For no reason whatsoever. I asked Mary and Sheri if they thought I could learn from this. Could I now realize that to fixate on the mere possibility of a future experience becoming miserable and joyless with no actual evidence of that possibility, that is ridiculous. Can I now stop the absurd habit of borrowing trouble. They both said probably not.
Good story Bob. Thanks for the shout-out to Lima.
Chris (Long time listener, first time commenter)
Lima, Ohio
OMG Bob, I’m crying from laughing so hard! We spent last week with 6 grandkids, 10-15, no plane though! It was exhausting and we loved every second of it.
You are an awesome dad and an awesomer grandfather. Don’t change a thing, love you just the way you are!
I loved hearing about this experience on the podcast and loved reading it here again! Thanks for keeping the show going through all of the difficulties of the last year and giving me a outlet to look forward to each day!
Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could always learn and apply every lesson as it comes to us? I know *I* would benefit…but alas, I also know that the likelihood of this happening is pretty slim. In any case, Bob, I love hearing your stories about the wee man and I enjoy almost as much hearing Sheri’s glee over how much he resembles you. Much love to you both, and thanks to all of you for figuring out how to keep the show going away from the station. I’m not sure you’ll ever know how helpful that has been for so many of us over this past year.
Bob, I feel like when I “borrow trouble ” everything works out fine. When I don’t stress is when trouble starts brewing. Nice writing, BTW.
Bob, you are who you are. You can lessen this trait as I work on. I get it from my mother. It all these things from my mother, not my father. Embrace who you are and know we love you. Glad you get to spend the time with Christian and they can focus on Elle for a while. Grandchildren are the greatest and you are blessed!
Loved your story. No, your persona will not change overnight. 20 more years on your age and you’ll finally let that breath out and relax. Nothing you can do about the world as it is. It took retirement from years of teaching to know that you affect some people and life experiences and others you couldn’t control no matter what happened!
Grandchildren bring out the very best in us! I know Christian was as happy as you and Mary are that he was with you! I can’t wait to hear more of your adventures with Christian and Elle!
I love your gift for storytelling – both spoken and written! Thanks for sharing! Karen
That first flight alone with a grandchild IS nerve wracking and you described it so well.
But so worth it!!!! It’s so nice to have them up yourselves too. Exhausting but awesome!!! You are making the best memories with Christian!!!!
What does he call you and Mary? Tks for sharing your life with us.
I used to live about 14 miles from Lima, Ohio and your story made me laugh, especially the thought of landing in Lima,Oh. I have been one of the “Oh please don’t sit close to me” but find that children generally travel well. I am no longer able to listen to you guys but did for years on my way to work, I loved your show. You have beautiful grandchildren, so glad you get to spend quality time with him and that baby girl will also have you wrapped around her tiny fingers soon enough. Have a great time!
Beautifully written as always. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. So glad you are enjoying the grandpa life and the island life! So grateful the Bob and Sheri Show has been in my life for the last 20 years. Wishing you many blessings and continued success!
This is a great story. We have our first grandchild. She is 7 months. I felt this way the first time I took her to the grocery store alone and I raised three children. Congratulations to you on your second.
I loved reading every word. Wonderful story and so glad you got home safely!
Bob , never change who you are😎and most to grandparent hood. Love the story and I have been listening every day for as long as you have been on the radio. Even as far back when you were on pm magazine…. you and Sherie make me smile and laugh every day!!
Love reading about your family – they are beautiful! Glad everyone is doing well and able to be there for each other. That’s what life is all about!