1982

A new baby boom is upon us. While a few classmates are raising young children, more and more are becoming grandparents. Edith Weinshienk Olesker writes, “I don’t know if I’m the first to have grandkids, but I probably hold the record for the most!” Edith has lived in Jerusalem for 33 years, working as a freelance book editor and raising nine kids, three of whom are married with kids of their own. Edith’s nine grandchildren range in age from 7 to 1. Edith notes, “I am proud of my children who are parents. I know how hard they work and how responsible they have become and who would have thought?” She shares that if children are like capital, grandchildren are the interest. “It’s pure pleasure, with none of (well, not much of) the sleepless nights.”

Julie-Anne MacDonald Anthony reports, “Our daughter, Jessika, and her husband, Bobby, have Audrey, 4 years old, and Andrew, 14 months old. Our son, Blake, and his wife, Shelby, have Caleb, 7 months old. They are all too far away! Our daughter’s family is in Tucson, Arizona. Our son’s is in Portland, Oregon.” Julie-Anne uses Skype and Facebook to stay in touch between visits. Julie- Anne’s hobbies of weaving and knitting fit in with her new role. She has even handwoven baby wraps for her kids to wear her grandkids!

Doug Latham and Betsy Sullivan Latham’s granddaughter, Lucy Elizabeth, also has two Dartmouth parents and a Dartmouth great-grandfather. Doug writes that being a grandparent is the “bonus prize for being a parent.” He adds, “I find it fascinating and affirming to watch my son being a parent. He participates fully and is loving and patient.” Doug notes, “Lucy changes almost daily, emphasizing how quickly the days and years fly by. We find ourselves thinking about the next phase in our lives—what do we want it to look like and how do we go about making that happen. Certainly loads of time with Lucy is in the plan!” Doug reports that in addition to working, he is collaborating with his siblings to keep their family farm going. He sings in a chorus and he and Betsy are active in their church. With all of that, Doug has maintained his contacts (and his language skills) from studying in Germany in high school, on a foreign study program and as a Fulbright scholar.

“Becoming the grandparents of Elsie and Horatio has given Scott and me the rare experience of finding that something said to be wonderful is even better than reported. We love being grandparents,” reports Beth Johnston Stephenson. “The small normal steps of growth that we took for granted in children seem miraculous in grandchildren. Is being with them so joyous because we have less responsibility or more experience?”

Many of us hope to join the grandparent club someday. Beth explains, “As grandparents we start with joy and wonder, rather than responsibility. I’m sure the grandchildren sense this, and it leads to the most marvelous set of relationships.”

5044 Macomb St., NW, Washington, DC 20016; robinshaffert@yahoo.com; David Eichman, 9004 Wonderland Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046; dme4law@sbcglobal.net