I’m having a great time with my grandchildren, make no mistake; but I guess my “Adventures in Grand-parenting” could be easily be subtitled “Misadventures in Connecticut” when you consider my record to date on field trips.

So I followed up yesterday’s “I could have sworn this was a Walmart” with a trip to the closest shopping mall. We cruised over to Waterford through some beautiful countryside, but when we parked outside the main entrance I realized the otherwise estimable zoom-zoom SUV had not come equipped with a stroller.

What to do? The children are nine months and 29-months, and my arms have already been partially separated from my shoulders due to Beks’ extra healthy set of baby thighs.

Well, I did what any self-respecting improviser would do – I liberated a shopping cart from a nearby store and we rode through the slightly upscale Crystal Mall in fine style, permanently erasing any doubt in the minds of those who may have still been wondering if we were indeed in the right store yesterday.

Personally, I felt perfectly at ease steering the shopping cart around the mall. But we did manage to generate a few raised eyebrows and questioning glances from some of the better dressed locals. I parked our ride next to one of those super-cool graphite racer models at the kids’ playground. “My other stroller,” I said to the lady, “is a Mercedes.”

POIGNANT: Back home there were a number of memorable moments with the children. First, I discovered David deep in the big chair in his room, reading one of his favorite books. After a while he got up, carefully put it on the shelf, and took another back to his chair.

He loves story time, both before nap and last thing at night. “It’s bed time,” I said Friday evening, “we can finish Toy Story tomorrow. Let’s go read some books.” I almost didn’t want to ask him to move because he’d curled up close on the sofa, with his head in my lap.

“Yes, yes,” he said, turning the TV off and happily trotting ahead to the stairs. Don’t tell me no one in America reads any more.

My other (ongoing) event that filled my heart to overflowing Friday was the way Beks has been just looking at me and grinning from ear to hear. She’s almost goofy about it. I know I am. I think she’s in love with me. I’m quite certain I’m falling for her.

So this morning, as I sip my coffee and wait for the first grandchild to smile their way into my day, I am thankful for David and Beks (and their parents), and grateful for the opportunity to spend this time with them.

“Children are a heritage from the Lord.” (Psalm 127:3)

In love, and because of love – DEREK