The term may be overused … even hackneyed. “The experience of a lifetime.” But l’m going to use it here. This past weekend for Nancy and me was indeed an experience we will remember. Always. “An experience of a lifetime.” Hyperbole? Well, let me tell you about it.

We have five grandchildren. Two here in Atlanta. Triplet 20-year-old boys in Ct. Granddaughter, Payson here attends Northeastern College in Boston. Two of our twenty-year-old triplets are at Providence College. Our third grandson is autistic. Currently at home. Jake, grandson here is a junior in high school. So, there’s the scorecard. Now onto this past weekend.

“Would it be great to go up north and see the kids at college.”
Nancy was fired up. So, we scheduled a flight on Friday to visit granddaughter Payson at Northeastern. Spend the afternoon with her. Then take the train to Providence for dinner Friday night. Spend Saturday with our boys. Fly home Saturday afternoon. Ambitious? For us, yes. About 24 hrs … two cities. Then home. 24hrs. Turns out this was the absolute right decision.

Northeastern was fantastic. Payson was better. What happened to that little girl in pigtails? Those rosy cheeks. Chubby little legs. (Sorry ‘bout that one, Payson) Quite a young lady now. Pretty, bright, caring. We could not have had a better “guide.” Better yet the comfort that our granddaughter was in the perfect place for her. Payson is majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in psychology. (How she had this focus at 18? Unusual) We moved smoothly throughout the Northeastern campus. Each time we approached stairs or a little extra lengthy walk, Payson reached out for Nancy’s hand to be sure she stepped up, walked ahead well. Building to beautiful building. The “Ex Building” especially. Amazed me how much of the teachings appeared to focus on relationships, navigating life. Beyond the grasping of more academic learnings.

A large complex. The students? Very multicultural. So like our world today. Eight thousand steps later. A little soreJust a wonderful experience. The campus, yes. But the grace and competence with which of our granddaughter guided us throughout?
Stole the show.

Late afternoon. Time to catch the train to Providence to see our boys. Payson was coming with us. A blessing to see our grandchildren enjoy one another as they do. Now the trains are confusing. Watched people scrambling around like they were in a bee colony just trying to find their train. Us? We had Payson. Might have thought she owned the complex. A few clicks on her phone. Easy peasy! We moved swiftly through the train station, instantly found our right one. Traveled to Providence to have dinner with the boys.

But before we connected with them. A drink at our hotel bar. Strange feeling. Sitting at a bar with Baby Girl (our handle for he since birth.) “I’ll have a glass of rosé, please.” Ok. Wonderful, open conversation. Memories, things we’ve shared together over almost two decades. Our chat maybe loosened a bit by the wine. Payson had been selected for a co-op. Working with mentally challenged children. Fit perfectly with her psychology studies. So aware. So well spoken. And Nancy and I were the grandparents of this beautiful child? Now a young lady. So joyous.

On to dinner with Jack and Ralfie. Our two boys at Providence. Handsome, too much hair maybe. But then they looked at me. Mic drop! “Can’t call the kettle black, PopPop!” The Oyster Bar. Greeted immediately by a copy of the Providence College newspaper. Front cover article! Featuring the Providence Friars upcoming basketball season. The author? None other than, da da da! Ralfie Shockey!! Yes! This kid has always been clairvoyant when it comes to sports. And sports statistics. Think Ralfie may be fortunate to have found a passion at such an early age. His portfolio of great articles. His blog … “Friar Talk” already has a thousand followers. His portfolio will serve him well as he seeks to find his way after graduation next year. Possibly in sports marketing.

Jack? Leaning toward studies in business, economics. Learned he’s in the fourth round for an internship with a a well-known financial services company. Again … he is gifted.  Can’t say it better.

Dinner that evening might have been … no it WAS the highlight. Watching our kids laugh, ask so many great questions. Yeah, we tossed a few down. Revisited the DQ debacle in Fairfield. Had a couple of off-color jokes I wanted to tell. But refrained. Over ordered food. But we laughed and laughed … and then we laughed some more! I can’t imagine there are but a handful grandparents who could have enjoyed a special experience like we enjoyed this one.

Tour of the Provident campus the next morning. Beautiful. More defined than Northeastern. But so functional. Well designed. Mark Gasbarro, Senior Gifts Officer… third generation Providence graduate … gave us a complete tour of the College. My takeaway was, “Our boys are part of a special place. Suited so well for them. Just like their cousin.” A spiritual vibe radiates at Providence. Stuff that “lubricates” one’s achievements in life. Values, character, faith.

Getting to spend special moments … an experience like this so connected us to Payson, Jack and Ralfie. At a time when our young people across our nation unfortunately seem so misdirected. What a thrill to know our guys can love, laugh and enjoy their Nanny and PopPop for a day the way they did. One special day, we will never forget.