My only grandchild just turned 18 years old. She's a beautiful girl, taller than me, with blondish hair (after her father's side of the family). Smart and popular, she's currently a beauty queen involved in countywide events lasting 11 months.

She's spoiled of course. She just got her driver's license and wants a car. She told her mother she's been driving her boyfriend's pickup for two years, during times her parents wouldn't catch her.

College looms, but first she wants to take some time off to "party with her friends." Her mother is suffering from empty nest syndrome already, but had a conniption when "party" came up. Her parents, and myself want and wish so much for her. It's scary to let the baby bird fly from the nest, so many snares and dangers out in the big wide world she's yet to confront. So many experiences yet to come, both good and bad.

It's a matter of faith and luck that the little bird takes wing and finds its way without harm. She knows she'll always have a safe refuge, nestled in her granny's heart.

susil