Today is my granddaughter Adeline’s eleventh birthday.  The bond between a grandparent and a grandchild is one of the most special and cherished relationships in life. My granddaughter holds a unique place in my heart, and the love I have for her is immeasurable. From the moment she was born, she brought an abundance of joy and happiness into my life, and every day since has been filled with love and cherished memories.

Like most grandmothers, I can’t believe how quickly time has flown by.  Just yesterday Adeline was a teeny-tiny baby who decided to surprise us all by arriving five weeks early.  She was so little that the preemie clothes we bought for her were still too big.  But she quickly grew and is currently on track to be taller than I am.  

She and I have had many adventures over the years, from the time she was a baby and I went down to the city to help care for her.  Many were the afternoons I spent rocking her in her stroller, trying unsuccessfully to get her to take a nap (she still hates naps!) to the days we spent exploring Central Park and trying to feed those crazy goats at the Zoo. When I was in the city in the summer to take care of Adeline, we had a routine. We would go to the wonderful story time at the Metropolitan Museum of Art one day, then hit the story time in Bryant Park and ride the merry-go-round the next day and finally go to the craft time at the Jewish Museum each week. These adventures were in addition to her swim lessons at the 92nd St. Y.  In between, we spent hours at the playgrounds in Central Park and usually found somewhere to get ice cream.  What fun we had!

I was so blessed to have Adeline and her parents stay with me during the pandemic. I got to sit beside her as she finished her kindergarten lessons over the computer while we tried to keep my dog Gracie from getting on-camera.  It was then that we were able to find a place where she could begin riding lessons. 

During her time up in the country, she and I baked and cooked together. I’m pretty sure I ate my weight in the cookies and pretzels we made.  She also delighted in trying to train my dogs George and Gracie in the backyard by creating obstacle courses for them and giving them plenty of treats. She even put on a circus with my “trained” dogs. There were also epic water balloon fights. And her mom bought an honest-to-God water slide that provided hours of fun.

When the pandemic lifted, I lost my roommates and Adeline was back on her home turf in the big city, where she continues to amaze her teachers and all of us. She’s already in fifth grade and dazzling us all with her creativity and imagination.

I love you with all my heart, dear Adeline, and I can’t wait to see what adventures you will have next! Happy Birthday!