Jake …”Tee hee hee”… “Look, here comes Jake!” 10 year old girls in the hallway at Jackson Elementary. Giddy. Walking down the hallway? My grandson, Jake. Oblivious to the attention. Handsome, simply a beautiful child. Wide eyed little girls… well, just having fun admiring him for the moment. True story? Doesn’t matter if it’s true or not. I was told something like this. It just fits Jake perfectly.

You see? Jake is a cool kid… at 10. Let explain. What child kisses his parents, grandparents lightly on the lips when greeting them? What child has to touch you with a toe or a finger, something, when he’s lounging on a couch or in bed with you. What child says please and thank you to us for the simplest gesture? Our Jake does.

Yesterday he and I went into the ocean during a great family stay on Amelia Island. Great waves for body surfing. We must have been in the water for an hr. We rode waves. We talked as the “peanuts” (small waves not large enough to ride.) rolled by us. Typical, Jake remembered the term “peanuts” from last year when he didn’t body surf as well as he does now. But yesterday?! He glided through the water like a pro. Knifed to shore as rolling “monsters” (big ones) rocketed him to the beach. Head up. Body taught. Gleeful! We had so much fun. PopPop did ok riding them too. But Jake? Forget it. He was the star. He asked questions. Like. “Where did the ocean come from?” “How long have you been riding waves, PopPop?” Then this… “The ocean seems alive.” Creative. Such curiosity. Will serve him well as he grows. BTW … Jake’s an excellent student. Surprise.

Needless to say this grandpa was impressed … and simply had a ball. Whether it’s baseball, basketball, video games, biking the neighborhood. Things most kids do. Jake has passion for all these. More than most his age I think.Jake also seems wise… beyond his years. Gets along with everybody. Nance and I often visit him and his sister Payson (who’s a character for another piece). “Is Jake here” “No” his Mom replies, “He’s gone” To a sleepover, to see his friend Loch. Or Jack. Or others. Surprise? Jake’s popular. Very.

We watch our five, beautiful grandchildren grow. Our two at home in Atlanta, our triplets in CT. That’s right. Triplets! All our grandchildren are so special. Not an exaggeration. It’s just true. Jake is unique. As all five of my grandchildren are. But yesterday? He was the best. I had sooo much fun with him. Kinda like those giddy girls did that day in the hallway at school. Kinda. More love and sensitivity you’ll not find in a child …. too soon to be a teen. Too soon to become a man. What great things ahead for Jake. Can’t wait.

Hope I get to see it all. Will be such a joy. So much fun to watch him grow. Just like I did in the ocean yesterday.