Opinion : How a baby girl helps teach the hidden lessons of grandparenthood

There are few things in life, I have learned, as great as grandparenthood. Hardly a day goes by without offering me another opportunity to experience the inspiring joys a grandchild brings. Even the not-so-good days are not so bad when you have a baby who is glad to see you and willing to lay her head on your shoulder. Veteran grandparents know exactly what I am talking about much better than I do at this point. I have, even with a 4-month-old baby, the same thing I offer her: An audience for my songs and silly sayings, and even a shoulder to cry on. Not every guy my age is blessed to have a grandchild, or to have one who lives close enough to see several times every week; I know what I have is a gift. Today, as I write this column, the baby is here, smiling on my shoulder as I try to put the words together in my head before putting them on paper. One of the joys and challenges of grandpa-hood will be figuring out how do to the things I do in a way that I can do them with Liana. New babies challenge the adults in their lives to adapt in many ways. Each new project will have to be designed so she can watch, and soon, help Grandpa, or whatever she calls me. All that I do from now on will be done in part as a grandfather, and I will try to find ways to make my granddaughter a part of those projects, just the way I try to make my children a part of them. Getting things done may be more challenging at times, or take longer, but doing them will be more fun with that kind of help. Liana and I will learn together how two, as the wise man once wrote, are better than one; even if one of the two can't do much, and the other one is a baby. Every job, I believe, can be adapted so a kid can watch or help. I learned from Liana's mom and her siblings to find ways to make my projects their projects, too. Surely, if there is a way for this grandpa to make a job grandchild-friendly, I will find it. Daddy-hood is great, but grandpa-hood brings a new level of inspiration. Every day, as a father, I learned something from our children; now I experience the double joy of seeing my daughter learning as I did as a parent at the same I learn as a grandparent. And it is amazing how much kids can teach us. Day after day, newborns teach us through their smiles and the way they react to hearing our voice; toddlers through their questions and blatantly innocent honesty. Trying to answer their questions will teach you more than you expect. Her mother taught me some things that I have never forgotten, long before she was old enough to go to school; Liana has already begun teaching all of us. And it will be inspiring and funny to see what we learn from her. Never underestimate the power of a kid's mind. "Kids," said Art Linkletter, "Say the Darndest Things." Soon Liana's parents and grandparents will be saying, "I can't believe what she said today." Funny things, inspiring things, things that make you wonder, "Where did that come from?" will become part of your daily lesson in Grandparenthood. Only those who have learned at the feet of a child can fully understand this. Read to your child, and talk to them every day, but more importantly, listen very carefully. Kids are smart; adults would be wise to let some of that childish knowledge fill their minds. Every day they will make you wiser, if you pay attention. Every now and then, you will hear the voice of GOd in the words of a child. Putting things in the words a child can understand can help you make more sense of the complicated things of life. Iam only a freshman in the College of Grandparenthood; I can't wait to see what the senior year brings. Now that I am technically the patriarch of our family, the leader of the pack, I appreciate more the wisdom of the newest member of our clan. Grandparenting will teach me in so many ways to be better at what I do at home and work -- if I listen to LIana. I only wish I could be a grandfather, and have one too, as few people do. Too bad my grandfather can't see my granddaughter. Already my shoulders are beginning to bear the stains a child leaves behind. Like a badge of honor, I wear them proudly. If you catch me on a good day, I may even let you have a chance to earn one of those badges youraelf, but on most days i try to keep her to myself. and told my grandfather that he would soon be a great-grandpa. Even now I remember his response-- he never smiled like that before. 5,3,3,2,3,5,5 --that is how my ancestors taught me to play "Jesus Loves Me" on a toy organ. Young ones like Liana will be teaching us all that simple childhood faith and wisdom; the question is, will we listen. Every grandparent has his or her favorite memories and stories; mine so far is about the times Liana has seemed to indicate she'd rather have Grandpa hold her than anyone else other than her parents. Anyway, it seemed like she was saying that, at least to me -- maybe it's only my vain grandfatherly imagination. Rarely, though, will I eagerly let someone else hold her, even if I have other things that people think I should be doing. So, I am sure you will understand and forgive me if on certain days when someone says, "Hey can I hold her?" I reply by holding on tighter and saying, "Hey this one is mine! If you want a grandchild to hold, go get your own!"