“Babies are such a nice way to start people.” ~ Don Herold

Greetings from My Mountain Cabin,

One of the greatest joys in my life was the birth of my granddaughter, Carlie Victoria Kesgen. Weighing in at 10 lbs. 2 oz., she was came into this world on 1 October 08. Carlie probably weighed that much because life in the oven was blissful. Why ruin a good thing by coming out into an unpredictable world?

My Little Moonbeam (Carlie) was the inspiration for my book, "To Carlie–With Love–From Grandad." I look forward to that someday when she and I can sit down together and talk about the events portrayed and philosophy presented within its covers.
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On 26 July 10, another blessed event occurred. Laura Hall Trivette gave birth to Lincoln Hall Trivette, a healthy baby boy. Annette and I both had Laura as a student when we were on the faculty of Western Carolina University. Annette was actually present at the 5:15 AM birth, and wouldn't ya know it, a half hour later Annette was on a bus with her Upward Bound students, headed from North Carolina to New York City for their summer field trip. Iron Woman! Not surprising behavior from LittleRedWife. I caught up with the happy parents, Laura and Todd, later in the day.

Linc's birth was special on a number of counts. Annette and I enjoy close relationships with many former students long past their graduation. From my own undergraduate experience, I cannot recall any professor that was so important to me that I wanted our association to continue after receiving my degree. Annette and I are indeed fortunate.

That having been said, Laura stands out as being special even among the many. She has become a truly cherished personal friend. To be included in her baby's birth family was a heartfelt validation! And of course, Todd is equally dear to us.

The birth of a child is remarkable beyond our wildest imagination. As Carl Sandburg once said, "A baby is God's opinion that life should go on." The formation of Linc's bones and internal organs, hair and eye color, and even personality predispositions occurred in utero without any conscious intervention by Laura or anyone else. The miracle occurred completely on automatic pilot!

Now begins the Great Mystery . . . In what kind of world will Linc grow up? Recall the technological advances in medicine, science (and unfortunately, weaponry) that have occurred in the past 100 years. The lifespan of a child born today will probably be at least one century! To what fantastic happenings will Linc and his counterparts be witness? Cancer cures? Colonies on other planets? Large scale organ transplants? Regeneration of spinal nerves for paralyzed patients? Contact with extra-terrestrials? The end of armed conflict? (I can always dream.)

When we look into a baby's eyes, we glimpse a future that we will never see. And that as it should be. As the history of humankind continues to unfold, the generation being brought into the world today shall truly inherit the Earth.

Loving wishes to Laura, Todd and especially, Lincoln.

I remain in awe,
Ed

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