I saw this tall, handsome young man, who was named after my Dad, and was born on the same day in August, and tears came.

He and my Dad were like two peas in a pod. They were best buds and to see my Dad, a former corporate executive on the floor playing with his grandson was a sight to behold. Don't get me wrong - my Dad loved his firstborn granddaughter too - When he was with his grandkids he was a different person I'd grown up with.

Dad would tell my niece and nephew to travel-to take advantage of every opportunity, and sometimes I'd wonder who this man was...I wasn't even allowed to go to sleepovers with friends when I was a kid!!!

But my niece and nephew took advantage of the opportunities before them - they traveled for church missions - helping at orphanages, taking courses overseas, going on vacations with friends to ports I'd only dreamed of, school trips to cool locations, band concerts on aircraft carriers...then with those experiences, they, in my niece's case got a wonderful job after college, and my nephew was accepted to the one place he truly wanted to go to college - my Dad's alma mater.

I know my Dad was doing a jig in Heaven.

The adage "If I knew grandchildren would be so much fun, I'd have had them first!" is true - Maybe our parents practice on us, to perfect being grandparents when that magic time comes.

My niece and nephew are my children in spirit, and I love them and for some reason, they feel the same way about me. I always dreamed I'd be like Auntie Mame, the slightly off-beat lady the kids would have fun with and know when times are down, all they have to do is call me and the cavalry would come.

That's pretty much our relationship. More than an aunt, more than a friend. Love that holds no boundaries.

One of the reasons instead of taking photos of my handsome nephew getting his diploma, I was giving him a BIG WHOOP instead.

You see, I still see my niece and nephew sometimes as toddlers, and remember the funny things they did, they regrettably do not remember, and when thinking gets clear, I see this gorgeous lady and handsome younger brother, and I am blown away.

So there are no babies anymore in our family.

Until the next generation comes - and then, if I'm lucky, their great-aunt can continue the tradition of having a ball with them.

I pray I am blessed to be around to see it happen all over again.

Then I'll be the one to tell the grand-nieces and nephews to go wherever the opportunities present - and I may just tag along.

To all the graduates out there - go forth and shine - even when things are crazy in the world, they will be models to right the wrongs, and to make the world a better place.

ellen george

Thoughts as my nephew graduated by ellen george