As one goes through various stages of life, there are major milestones remembered for a lifetime.  For me, count my wedding day and the day my twin daughters were born as two major days to remember.

A new milestone is ahead of me this year.  For the first time, I will become a grandfather.  My daughter and my son-in-law, living in South Dakota, will become parents in August.  The emotions I feel are hard to describe, but I know they are wonderful.

The prospect of becoming a grandparent myself brings back memories of my own grandparents.  I am very fortunate to have clear and amazing memories of all four grandparents.

My grandfathers were larger-than-life men to me as a young man.  My paternal grandfather, Sam Lannan, was a farmer and political activist, holding several elected and appointed offices in Martin County, nestled in rural southwest Indiana. My maternal grandfather, Arnold Kidwell, lived close to us and I saw him regularly.  For a man with only a sixth-grade education (common for farm kids in his day) he had a great deal of intelligence and was as up-to-date on current events as anyone I ever knew.

Then there were my grandmothers, who were both saints in my view.  Dola Lannan was amazing in many ways, perhaps primarily because she put up with my grandfather Sam so well.  She had lots of grandchildren but knew all of us well.  I have so many fond memories of being around her.

My maternal grandmother, Alice Kidwell, told me something I still remember today.  Being a parent is a special experience, she told me, but being a grandparent is even better.  She lived to be 99 years of age, and was of sound mind up to about the age of 95.  I learned so much from her I could not even begin to describe it all here.

So, as I look forward to being a grandfather, I remember all four grandparents.  I know how lucky I am because I know a number of people that never knew any grandparents.

My daughter and son-in-law do not want to know the sex of the baby in advance, that is their call and, I am okay with it.  Will my wife Jane and I spoil our grandchild?  Of course, that’s part of the job.

But spending time with my grandchild will be the most important thing.  Jane and I will be heading to South Dakota even more often than we do now, because time is an important component of being a grandparent.  My dad’s parents did not live close to us but we visited Martin County regularly, and for that I am still grateful.

So, allow me this personal note on what is normally a local news blog to let everyone know I am anticipating another major milestone in my life.  This one may be the most special of all.