I had something really cool happen last Thursday. I didn't blog about it yesterday because I was too busy ranting, but I had to mention this.

The other day I received a box in the mail. I kind of knew it was coming because my brother had mentioned something about it earlier in the week.

I know I haven't talked much about my parents, not because I haven't wanted to, but because I'm grateful that at the moment my relationship with them is pretty damn good. It wasn't always that way (especially with my dad), but I have nothing to complain about.

So . . . in the box was my Dad's newest book. Now my Dad has written many books, in fact he's had 2 or 3 out in the past couple of years. But what makes this book special was the dedication:

To Lisa and Christopher . . . Thanks for the terrific grandchildren.

This line means alot to me for two reasons . . . One, this is the first time he has ever dedicated a book (or anything) to my brother and me. And second, years ago I wondered about how my dad would feel about having grandchildren. He's not the kind of person who likes to be reminded about the fact that he's getting older (my grandma was the same way). When I first told him, almost 12 years ago, that I was pregnant with Kid #1, his first comment was, "I don't ever want to be called Grandpa."

Thankfully soon after, he and my step-mom adopted my little sister. It's because of her that my dad changed his mind . . . and I will always be grateful to her for that.

The other special items in the box were two other books . . . a book of Ben Hur that belonged to my Great-Grandma who I knew and repected, and a copy of Little Women that belonged to my Grandma, who I had a very special relationship with, when she was young.

The significance of Little Women, is that it had always been one of my favorite books. Although I never had a copy of my own, 22 years ago my mom gave me her copy she received when she was 10 years old. Now I also have my Grandma's copy. Given the fact that I will presumably be accomplishing what she always wanted to do, write for children, when my article gets published, I feel like I've come around full circle.

On top of that, to have received these three books during what's been a very stressful time in my life, just reminds me as to why I've been going through everything I talked about yesterday. The kids . . . the writing . . . everything.

And you know what . . . I'd go through it all again in a heartbeat.

Thanks for listening.