Happy, Happy New Year!
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.)
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.
Wonderful! Congrats to the parents and the grand parents (especially the grand dad!) and welcome to the little Will!
I was hoping to see a photo of you two together. Thank you.
A wonderful picture and a wonderful way to begin the New Year.
Ohmigod! How adorable! Thank you for sharing the photograph and congratulations to you, Miss Kathleen, and the parents! This is awesome!
Felicitations!!!
Congratulations Doodad and a great picture too.
Such a wonderful way to start a new year! I’m very happy for you all!
Just how this year should begin – congratulations! (from the fellow now known as Pa-Pa.)
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!
Thanks RJ for posting these pictures. I can see him all the way from TX.
Congratulations and all best wishes to the whole family!
many many congrats grandpa and nana
the pic is great
may william have a grand life
hope all are doing well.
aunt carol
Congratulations to all. What a wonderful New Year’s gift!!
Congratulations! Great toes!
ON JANUARY 3RD, 2010 AT 11:40 PM
What a wonderful New Years Gift. May all the Gods smile on Him
Heartfelt congratulations. Nice photos especially that of the cotton candy feet!
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
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!