I am a sentimental fool, totally in love with a granddaughter I haven’t even met in person.  She is so beautiful, and in her I feel such hope for the future.  We all sense the potential that she is about to explore, and I feel the optimism of her entire family for a world that she is a part of.

That she will be loved -  is loved – is without question.  She will be encouraged but not coddled.  She’ll be protected but not cocooned.  She’ll be her own person, and if I know her parents she’ll be assertive and will know her own mind.

She’ll be smart, I’m sure of that.  She’ll be funny – I mean how could she not have a sense of humor?  She’ll be empathetic and social, and will be one of the lucky kids in this world who knows she is loved and can develop herself without bracing for disappointment.

I am shocked at how raw my emotions are when I think about how much I love little Consuelo already, on this special day, the day of her birth.

Congratulations, Adam and Martha.  Your new adventure starts now.