Grand Magazine - September/October 2008 - (Page 31)

grandpa to the rhythms of a real band. Cinelli taught them how to order and what fork to use; and by the time we dined at the elegant Café des Artistes the next night, they were in control of the initial blooming of womanhood’s undeniable charm. We left for the airport in a limousine, our two girls standing on the seat to poke their heads through the sunroof and wave a teary goodbye to the skyline of Manhattan and, perhaps, to the childhood they had left there. Jeffrey chose Alaska by land and sea. He’s the quiet one among the five grandchildren. He had taught himself juggling; and for the first few days aboard the Holland America cruise ship Volendam he stayed close to us, tossing balls in the air in a repetitive routine of self-preoccupation that was driving me crazy. Then someone spotted him and clapped at his juggling expertise. It attracted others. A small crowd gathered, loud praise followed and Jeff was suddenly the star of the cruise, capped by a magician at an evening show asking Jeff to join him on stage. After that, as we journeyed by train, bus and touring car through some of America’s most spectacular scenery, Jeff juggled every chance he got, adding a fourth ball to a routine that was approaching professionalism. We had mistaken a soft-spoken manner for shyness. Jeff loved the approval of an audience, but it had also alerted him to the glory of Alaska that was all around us. Those who had watched him juggle wanted his company; and long conversations with strangers about a grizzly bear crossing the road, moose wandering the forests and the magnificence of snow-topped Mt. Denali in the distance soon became as important as those balls flying easily through the air. We still have Joshua awaiting his bar mitzvah trip. Already, at 6, he’s more expansive than our other grandchildren. Asked where he wanted to go when he reached his teens, he thought for a moment and then, with a wide gesture, said, “America!” I think we can handle that. G He had long conversations with strangers about grizzly bears. Over 60, all grown up, and now we are….Smart, Satisfied, Shape-shifting, Surprising, Sexy, Simplifying, Significant, Singing, Silly, Self-assured, Santa, Sisters, Stoned, Strong, Skinny, Serene, Speechless, on Sabbatical… The voices of a diverse group of women over 60 are marshaled into a chorus of wisdom by writer Wendy Reid Crisp (GRAND’s editor-in-chief) with humor, irony, compassion, regret, forgiveness, and wit. “When I Grow Up I Want To Be 60,” is a little book with a big message. “…in Wendy Reid Crisp’s handling, the title appears to be ironic - there is nothing childish here - and real-life experience shines through… much Available on-line: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powell’s Books. smarter than most others of its slightness and ilk the book sings of the diversity among elder women - an excellent antidote to a culture that usually lumps us into an invisible sameness.” – Ronni Bennett, “Time Goes By” SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2008 GRAND 31

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Grand Magazine - September/October 2008

Grand Magazine- September/October 2008 Grand View:�Priceless Contents Isn't it Grand?: Picture Perfect Winners!: GRANDparent of the Year Grand Central Toddler Town:�Grand-proofing Ask Grand:�Two Tired Tips on Teens: The Bar Mitzvah Trips Just So We Know:�BPA Not Our BFF Full House-Full Heart-Full Time:�Confessions of a Backyard Grand Grandbloggers: It Takes a Village Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? Family + Food = Fun On the Cover: Nora Roberts A Fine Romance Everything Was Fine Until You Showed Up Happy Big Sister Day Looking Grand:�Elementary, My Dear All in the Family:�Pasta, Present and Future Reunions:�Doubleheader Inspirations:�Grandpa's Violin Grand Bazaar More to the Story Grand Finale:�Long Ago Under the Sun

Grand Magazine - September/October 2008

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