More than a Student

The Writing Center this morning was unusually quiet with few students present, so I was busily reading and marking student papers in preparation for my 10:15 class, when across the room the door opened and in strolled our grandson, Emerson.

I've known that his schedule this semester brings him to the campus on Tuesday/Thursday, but I rarely see him and I haven't seen him in the Writing Center at all. So his surprise appearance was my delight.

He turned 19 on August 31st, so he is in his 20th year of life. It's easy for me to remember that because he was born during my very first week of working for the college which seems like so long ago until I look at Emerson and then I think he seems quite young. Time is so relative; somedays seem deep and wide, while others vanish in a blink.

The morning that Emerson was about to be born, his parents phoned to ask us to come stay with his big sister, Ashly, so they could go to the hospital. A few short hours later the ring of the phone on the wall brought the announcement that we had a grandson.

Twenty years and two months later, I'm sitting in the Writing Center conversing with my grandson while a myriad of memories dance through my mind.

We talked about his classes, about his car (a convertible Fiat sports car that belongs to his parents), about the new puppies at his house, about his current job search, and his major in college.

After a while, he needed to get busy doing his homework. He settled at a table near me. Unbeknownst to him, I nonchalantly captured a few photos with my phone.

Then a little while later, after I had been working with a student, I looked up to realize that Emerson had exited the room. I missed saying goodbye to him, but was so glad I had preserved this photo image that now will anchor and preserve the moment with my grandson.

It was a special moment at the beginning of my day; a moment that I will savor for the rest of my life; a moment in the Writing Center now written on the tablet of my mind.

Good night from Southern California.
Rosie (& Mr. Fun), aka Carol


P.S. Thanks for the terrific comments on Mr. Fun's antics yesterday!