Happy, Happy New Year!

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Portrait of The Editor holding his grandson, William Aidan O’Neill, born earlier today. During a blue moon!

It has been years and years since I last held a newborn child, and my arms — so much of them, so little of Will — needed a bit of re-adjustment, provided by his mother. Once properly arranged, we stood for twenty minutes or more, while Megan and Kathleen chatted. I worried a little bit about crushing him, but what really terrified me was the possibility that he might suddenly stop breathing. (Then he would twist a part of himself, and I’d breathe.)

According to Kathleen, Will does not look like a newborn. I don’t think he does, either. But he can squinch up his face in that wizened, little-old-gnome way, reminding us that there is nothing generic about him: he’s his own man already. (It isn’t the blanket that’s covering his face, below. Those are his sleeves.)

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About becoming a grandfather, I can say only that it feels utterly normal: attending to this boy (and to any siblings who come along) is evidently something that I have been waiting to do all my life. In completing my adulthood, it concludes my adolescence. May Will make better use of youth than I did; and may I make as good a greybeard as my health and talent allow.

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18 Responses to “Happy, Happy New Year!”

  1. Jean Ruaud says:

    Wonderful! Congrats to the parents and the grand parents (especially the grand dad!) and welcome to the little Will!

  2. Flather says:

    I was hoping to see a photo of you two together. Thank you.

  3. Fossil Darling says:

    A wonderful picture and a wonderful way to begin the New Year.

  4. Migs says:

    Ohmigod! How adorable! Thank you for sharing the photograph and congratulations to you, Miss Kathleen, and the parents! This is awesome!

  5. Sheepy says:

    Felicitations!!!

  6. Quatorze says:

    Congratulations Doodad and a great picture too.

  7. jkm says:

    Such a wonderful way to start a new year! I’m very happy for you all!

  8. Mark F says:

    Just how this year should begin – congratulations! (from the fellow now known as Pa-Pa.)

  9. Nom de Plume says:

    How auspicious, born on the first day of a new decade under a Blue Moon. I couldn’t agree more how natural and comfortable you are as a grandpapa. You *have* waited your whole life for this moment. Much love to you, the mother and father, the baby, and Kathleen. What a joy to behold!

  10. Penny says:

    Thanks RJ for posting these pictures. I can see him all the way from TX.

  11. Yvonne says:

    Congratulations and all best wishes to the whole family!

  12. carol keefe says:

    many many congrats grandpa and nana
    the pic is great
    may william have a grand life
    hope all are doing well.
    aunt carol

  13. Tindley says:

    Congratulations to all. What a wonderful New Year’s gift!!

  14. Tom says:

    Congratulations! Great toes!

  15. ON JANUARY 3RD, 2010 AT 11:40 PM

    What a wonderful New Years Gift. May all the Gods smile on Him

  16. Heartfelt congratulations. Nice photos especially that of the cotton candy feet!

  17. 1904 says:

    Congratulations and well done! As a New Year’s Eve baby myself, my especial salutations to the young fellow who wisely held out for the new year, again, well done! Best to all, GS

  18. Cake McDonut says:

    Who would have ever thought all those years ago that we would come to this! And what a wonderful this it is. All our love and good wishes to the whole extended family!