Another New Generation

My aunt called me last night to chat.  She wanted to know how I was doing post-surgery.  I wanted to know how she's doing since my uncle passed away in December.  Toward the end of the phone call she remembered something that she'd meant to tell me before.  She's going to be a great-grandmother!  The older daughter of one of my cousins will deliver her first child in August. 

Although I know that, age-wise, my cousins and I are old enough to be grandparents, hearing that one of us is actually closing in on that status, threw me a little, even as it made me smile, delighted. 

I hadn't see my cousin in several years.  When I did a couple of months ago at my uncle's service, all I could say was, "Wow!"  She looks terrific!  She's a couple of years older than I am which puts her in her upper 50s.  She's as attractive and sexy as she was when we were younger.  I could tell by the look in his eyes, that her gentleman friend thinks so too. 

By contrast, I don't ever remember any of my great-aunts or great-uncles seeming young.  I'm trying to do the math in my head.  I was 24 when my grandmother died at age 83.  I think she was the second oldest in her family.  So, when I was, say 10, she was 69.  Her youngest sibling would have been 53 and the others would have ranged in age upward from there.  I guess to a 10 year old, those in their 60s are old. Child eyes don't see the vibrancy, the beauty, or, God forbid, the sexiness.

Some of my closest friends are a bit older than I am and have been grandparents for years.  It doesn't seem so strange to me, nor have they lost their attractive qualities. 

 At 54, I don't feel old.  If I met an interesting 60 year old man, I'd think about dating him rather than considering him over the hill.

So, I'm really not sure why the news threw me. Maybe it's because this is another milestone for my generation in the family. It's a big mature step for someone who remembers when we both were crazy about The Monkees.

I'm going to put away the feeling of being rocked on my heels a little and just revel in the happiness.  I'm so glad that my aunt has this to look forward to when she's still adjusting to live without my uncle -- to whom she was married for 60 plus years.  I think it's great that my cousin is going to have a grandbaby to cuddle.

I'm happy for that not-yet-born child who's guaranteed to have one kick-ass grandma when he or she arrives in the world.