New Grandson!
Posted on: May 31, 2013
Fifteen years ago we gave our children permission not to have children. Unlike so many, they would get no pressure from us to have kids. Don’t have them for our sake! That was difficult because as bright, strong Danish-Americans, we would want our line to be a part of the future.
Our daughter will probably take us up on our offer. She’s getting married this summer. She’s strongly invested in her career with the National Park Service. And she’s near the end of her child-bearing years.
Our son and daughter-in-law had a beautiful baby girl about three years ago. And Wednesday night they brought a new grandson into the world – 7 lbs, 7 oz., 20 inches. Baby and mother are doing very well.
Our Pledge
Rita and I pledged to our children that if they did have children, we will be invested in their lives. Our children hardly knew their grandparents. Both of our moms and dads lived in Calif. We lived in Iowa. They hardly ever saw our kids.
We pledged that we would take care of each infant four days a week for the first year and then two months in the spring and two more in the fall until s/he turned five. (For health reasons we need to spend as much time as possible in the dry, warm climate of Calif.) And we have a video call every week.
We’re very blessed that we can be “snow birds.” Much of the reason is because we have practiced voluntary simple living for 30+ years.
Peace, Gerald
Simple Living Works! 
June 4, 2013 at 1:04 am
I can relate to your pledge. Thanks for sharing.