Missing your grandchildren

Penny writes regularly over at Parenting Grown Children. My friend Ann and I are having coffee, catching up on the state of our semi-retirements, vacations and grandchildren. Hers live near her; she sees them all the time. Mine are far away; vacations with them and their families are my only chance to see them up …

“Nanny!” he calls, running from the parking lot.  Jackson arrives with his dad at the recreation area where, his mom, Kristen, and I have been decorating a picnic table for his seventh birthday party.  As he approaches, I crouch to receive his bear hug. His close-cropped hair, the color of a wheat field, bristles against …