Here’s just a short check-in for those of you who are keeping a close eye on my epic grand-parenting marathon. After that I’ll ask you to jump over to Wake Forest Today for my latest column. I particularly like the way this week’s came together.

First (and today’s “banner” image tells it best) I’ve joined The David Train. The David Train, if you’re wondering, is my grandson’s ongoing invitation for visitors to help him design the best ever wooden railroad set up. I failed royally in terms of improving on some of his parents’ epic creations; but I succeeded in my real goal, which was to enter into my grandson’s world, and to have fun together.

(Note to my daughter, Naomi: don’t worry, mom; I only allowed the letters out for a short visit. They’re safely back on the shelves now!)

These grandchildren of mine, they’re savants when it comes to the art of throwing themselves into life.

It doesn’t matter what they’re up to, they never hold anything back. Playing; crying; loving; learning; laughing… they don’t have the vaguest idea when it comes to the meaning of “half-measures.” Personally, I’m convinced that lack of enthusiasm is exclusively a grown-up construction.

Maybe one of my signature roles as a grandparent should be to fight hard to help David and Beks maintain the cutting edge of their genius?

The link you really have to click: Now for my Wake Forest Today contribution. I started out intending to share a travel story, but by the time I was done I’d let a huge helping of the Good News of the Gospel of light and love ease its way into my column. I swear it was another accident!

Over the past few months, I’ve traveled a lot more than usual. Mostly, I’m on the plane in response to an invitation to speak. Occasionally, it’s family business. Increasingly, it means squishing into a teeny-tiny space and trying to negotiate some kind of a truce with the linebacker-sized person in front who seems to want to recline their seat directly into my lap. (read more….)

Regardless of my focus – grandchildren or Wake Forest Today – I’m talking about the same thing. I’m talking about the great privilege that is ours to live, and the commensurate responsibility to live well, to live with passion, and to live with enthusiasm.

I, for one, am still riding that train – DEREK