Category Archives: The Rider Chronicles

Journal jottings about my grandson, Rider.

Rider Had a Spider

Rider had a spider and his name was Jungle Pete, He had a big red nose and purple shoes upon his feet. Rider and his spider climbed a tree and looked around, And then they flew up in the sky they … Continue reading

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The Rider Chronicles: A June Saturday With Rider

Our trip to Brooklyn a couple weekends ago was partly a gift for Rider’s father (he turned 27 that day) but mostly, naturally, another opportunity for Rider’s grandmother and me to spend time with our dear, sweet grandtyke.  Tending Rider … Continue reading

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The Rider Chronicles 14 – Rider’s New Forehead: Waiting

We had been dreading this November day for weeks ever since his parents’ difficult decision to go through with the operation.  A few months earlier Rider was diagnosed with ectopic craniosynostosis, a condition in which his two forehead parts had … Continue reading

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The Rider Chronicles 13 – Grandma, Grandpa, and the Little Pink Frog

For whatever reason, perhaps because plenty of willing hands are always available to perform the office, or because the hands typing these words have had their fill of it, helping raise three children as they did, I have never really … Continue reading

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The Rider Chronicles 12 – 24 Hours with Rider

I have not written about my grandson for too many weeks because I have not seen him for many too many weeks.  I’m not with him nearly as much as I wish.  Not only that, I’ve been a Rider Bachelor … Continue reading

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The Rider Chronicles 11 – Spending the Night at Grandma and Grandpa’s House

I could hardly wait!  My wife and I like to entertain.  Hosting energizes us.  Guests are a common “enemy” we work together to “vanquish.”  I’m overstating it but you get the point.  Imagine how excited we were preparing for our recent … Continue reading

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The Rider Chronicles 10 – Moments Missed

The good news: I only live four hours away from my little grandson Rider, an easy trip.  The bad news: I live four whole, long hours from my little grandson Rider, miles and miles from this baby boy who has … Continue reading

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The Rider Chronicles 9 – Rider’s Blessed Burden

A grandfather is allowed to philosophize if he wants to.  Right now I want to.  If you’d rather be out mowing the lawn, or possibly reading a book or going swimming, you’re welcome to go do it now.  I won’t … Continue reading

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The Rider Chronicles 8 – A Morning Stroll with Rider and his Grandmother

Sunday morning at Rider’s house and his grandmother, that dear woman I slept alongside these past hours, these past almost thirty years, and I were awake.  Anxious to spend time with him, we both wondered if our grandson was also … Continue reading

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The Rider Chronicles 7 – Through A Deluge to Rider

The heavens released their garden-watering goodness: buckets and streams and swimming pools of rain.  I was thrilled to see it for my gardens’ sake but was not one whit happy about it for my own.  I had to walk four … Continue reading

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