The Importance of Family
Hi Bloggers: I really do count my blessings. My kids are out of college, my boy Jonas is running Teach For America in the City of Houston and my daughter, Sarah, is a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Politics, Princeton University. The reason I am writing about them is that Jonas asked me, on one of frequent but abbreviated conversations, "When are you going to write something on your blog about me?" Good idea.

I am incredibly proud of my kids who have already done phenomenally well in life. We are always told that at some point the children become the parents and I must say that more and more I rely on them, as well as my main sustainer, Roselle, to give me advice. All of them have been incredibly cool when I am incredibly mad at some situation. They put things into perspective and have the ability to laugh at the absurd and to transfer that sense of "above the fray," to me.

The New York Times is now calling those who have kids out of college, "My Timers." We do things that would have been impossible years ago. But, it's great when the kids come home. Inevitably they try to get their space into the shape it was in years ago when they left. Beds are either made, or half made. Like some of those in they animal world they "mark" their space so that ownership is defined. Sometimes, these incredibly responsible human beings who work their guts out in their jobs and intellectual pursuits do a little reversion when they get back to the nest.

We all know that parents are supposed to be studies in perfection, which we know we are not. Kids love to test out against us. Our flaws are exposed and we are cut to the quick but as they grow older the love and twinkle in their eyes becomes more and more pronounced and there is nothing more welcome than a telephone call asking advice, or better yet, giving it. My old Joan of Arc Junior High School music teacher, Gene Steiker, who I loved so much, used to say that his life began when he had kids. I know that mine has been made incredibly richer by having these two vibrant human beings around me and already eclipsing my meager accomplishments.

How's that Jonas?

You can reach me at See you tomorrow.
- posted by Alan @ 1/09/2004 10:29:00 AM