Dear Grandson

Your closest family at your mom and dad's wedding

Sorry for the generic title to this letter to you but your mother and father have been steadfast in their determination not to share your name with us until you’ve made your appearance. Your Great-aunt Denise has called you Oscar and you’ve been referred to as ‘Grommet’. You are already collecting nicknames. It is exactly two weeks before your due date, though I expect you’ll be a little early on the scene. In your case, a little early is just fine because you’ve been eagerly awaited by many of us. I thought today would be a good day to tell you a few things about your family and what I believe for you.

First, let’s look at that word I put in the first sentence, ‘steadfast’. My friend Webster says steadfast is to be firm in belief, determination, or adherence. Webster is a friend I hope to someday sit with you and get to know a little better; I learn something every time he and I get together. Listening to what he say about steadfast, I have no doubt it applies to you – it’s genetic. Your whole family line on both sides has it as far back as I can see. Now, a scientist may tell you that DNA has no bearing on a trait such as ‘steadfastness’ but I am a simple man trying to be faithful to scripture and Paul tells us differently when he spoke to about Timothy’s faith which was first seen in Timothy’s grandmother and then his mother. See? Simple. You’ll find firm determination in your parents, firmness in belief in your grandparents because of God’s good grace, and firm adherence in all your great-grandparents that I’ve had the joy of knowing.

Next, let’s talk a little bit about the family you’ll be born into. I’ve known your mother since the first moment she was born and I felt many of the things she and your dad have felt as they’ve prepared to welcome you. They’ve been amazed and nervous, steady in their preparations for you and a little frightened they may have forgotten something important, and tender toward you and each other while being a bit like the momma and poppa bear in protecting you. They’ve done really well and you’ll be taken care of like a prince.

Your mom was a partner of mine in some great adventures in Arizona with the church kids while we worked, worshipped, and played together. I coached her basketball teams and saw every play she had role in for the Crescenta Valley High School drama department. She has never been a ‘drama queen’ nor is she fond of the kind of drama I’m eluding to here. She is steady, perceptive, and rational; fun loving, adventurous, and brave. I have a tender spot for all my kids and I am fiercely proud of all of them. She’ll be a fantastic mother for you.

I’ve known your dad since he was a rambunctious third grader, about seven years old. He was in the first Sunday school class I taught when your Grandmother Mumsy and I rejoined the La Crescenta Presbyterian Church. I had fun with him when he came into the Junior High program of the church and went with me to Arizona. He came back to Arizona after graduating high school and I taught him a little gorilla sign language, something he may want to teach you when you’re old enough. He played football, baseball, and basketball and is a very competitive man; he loves to do well and competes most strongly with himself. I have always loved him; first as a little boy, then as teenager, and then as a young man. I had a feeling he and your mom would get together and I’m glad I was right. He has a lot to teach you.

It was during high school your mom and dad met and became friends. That’s a huge advantage to them as a husband and wife and I believe their friendship will be a great help to them as your mom and dad. 

I’ve known your Grandma Chambers since she was a little girl and our families went on vacations together. She swam in our pool, played with our dogs, and now she directs the Center for Children that her mom, my mom, and some their good friends started way back when. 50 years ago actually. She’s smart, loving, and kind. Right now, she is a little tender with you coming into the picture and your Aunt Kelsey getting married in a just two weeks. I love our partnership with the school and I love watching how well she cares for her staff and the children of the center. She will be a load of fun for you.

I’ve known your Grandpa Chambers about the shortest of all those I’m talking about here. He’s a bit enigmatic but I watch him and have observed that steadfast quality I talked about earlier. He gives his heart to people and sticks by them; he’s a faithful and strong friend to have by anyone’s side. If he tells you he’s going to do something, you can believe that it will get done and done well. He will be one of your biggest fans in whatever you pursue.

Your Grandmother Mumsy is a gifted artist in several media. She has been a fantastic Labor and Delivery nurse and is a Psychologist, I’ll let her explain what that is, but believe me, she is an excellent listener and counselor. Both your grandmothers have been a big help and support to your mom. I love Mumsy dearly and wish I’d done it better but I’m working on that. She will do great and fun things with you and help you discover the artist inside of you. All of us have at least little creativity and only a few discover it as a passion like she has. I can’t wait to see her holding you for the first time. The look on her face and the love that will be coming from her is likely to break my heart in a very good way.

You have aunts and uncles, great-grandparents, great-aunts and uncles, and cousins all eager to meet you for the first time. I’d tell you about each one, how I love them all, and what I think they’ll mean to you but then this letter would go on and on and I might not leave any stories for others to tell. I can’t let myself have all the fun. Although, I may have to write you a second letter and tell you about your cousins since they’re my grandchildren too. Regarding your cousins, you’ll learn sometime soon that your Uncle Daniel and Aunt Ani are having a baby and you will have a cousin only four months or so younger than you. Won’t that be excellent?

You will be a blessing to many; a loyal friend, teammate and partner. You’ll be a son to make your mom and dad proud and happy. You will make us smile and cry at the same time. You will do amazing things because you’ll be steadfast, strong, fun-loving, steady, and a bit wacky. Some of your best friends will be your cousins, older ones and younger both. You will be loving – and there is nothing better than that.

I can’t wait to hold you, rock you to sleep, and watch over you. Someday we’ll get to roll around on the floor together and wrestle. You’ll probably win; that’s usually how it works. I’ll tell you other things that might amaze you. I certainly hope to make you laugh.

Your Opa