Family Time - Olie Meets Grandma & Grandpa Updyke

From a letter from Grandpa Updyke to Dad:

I had a wonderful visit with you, Justine and Oliver. What a joy to see your family as the vital and vibrant entity it is and should be. Each part meshing and interacting in the sometimes chaotic, but always beautiful interplay that constitutes life. Of all the things in life that I've been rewarded with, seeing you with your wife and brand new son, and the obvious happiness you enjoy, will always be one of my fondest memories.

I hope that our visit didn't wear too hard on you. As I'm well aware, the first part of being new parents is a constant struggle to keep up. I've often wondered where the best trade off between the energy of youth, and the wisdom of age is at an optimum when it comes to raising children. Only having done it one way, I'll never really know, but it does give one pause for thought.

Please tell Justine that we burned the disks for the early photos of you, and they will be winging their way to you via regular mail this weekend. While we were doing the disks, I had the picture of your mom, my mom, and you kneeling at the ocean side cropped and blown up to a 5 x 7, which is now hanging on my wall at work. What a trip down memory lane each day as I walk in and see that picture.

It serves as a great reminder of what a blessed life I've lived. I hope that as you look back on the time you're living now, from the future your headed for, you're as fortunate in your remembrances as I've been.

Love, Dad