Yesterday, I wrote about meeting an elderly gentleman at my local grocery store who wisely offered me a suggestion. Quoting a line from the play Our Town, he told me to “slow down.” I did.

And his words and the play he referenced continued to make a mark all through yesterday and into today. I thought of Our Town during last night’s debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin. I listened closely as each of them reflected on “Main Streets” all over this great country of ours.

I thought of my own life. My own voice. One woman’s voice. And I thought about all the people who walked all the Main Streets in my life…

My dad was born in Chicago. His dad died as a result of injuries in World War I. His mom remarried and the family moved to Michigan, where 80 acres of land waited to be loved and farmed. My mom was born in Boston. Her dad was a fireman. He died of lung cancer as a result of his honored profession. I was born in Michigan, and my first home was the farm in Michigan. My dad was serving sea-duty in the United States Navy, and my mom and my older brother were staying with my grandmother until my dad returned. Two years later, my younger brother was born, and my family moved to wherever my dad was stationed for many, many years. We lived in Illinois, Maine, California, New Hampshire… finally settling in Rhode Island when my dad retired from his service to his country. I walked many Main Streets. I loved many Main Streets. My mom and dad taught me to love my country. To get involved. To think. I was the first woman in my family, on both sides, to graduate from college. I went on to teach high school for 30 years, always encouraging my students to get involved. To think. To aspire. To grow. To challenge themselves.

I thought about my voice. One woman’s voice. I grew up sandwiched between two brothers. There was no room for being a pampered “girl.” I played baseball. I played hockey. Boys’ hockey, with the boys. I studied hard. Main Streets had taught me about community. Brothers had taught me about competition! My parents had taught me about family and love and voices.

One girl’s strong voice became a strong woman’s voice. People who know me know that I have strong opinions. But I listen, too. I learn. I am tolerant and passionate and patriotic. This is how I listened to last night’s debate. And as I sit at my computer this morning, I look out of my window and see a sign for my own MAIN STREET. And I am sitting in a room of my home, a home built in 1780 by Dr. Jeremiah Greene… a first cousin to Major General Nathanael Greene. I am told that Nathanael Greene discussed the American Revolution in my home.

I beg each of you to listen. To study. To find your passions. To register. To speak to your children about politics and religion and education and civil rights. To teach history. To help your children and grandchildren find their own voices.

To slow down. To debate. To vote.

Our Main Streets are counting on us.

Yesterday afternoon, I hit the grocery store for a few items. And I mean, just a few because I was in a hurry. I was rather sailing down the the bread aisle when I almost took out an older gentleman who was reaching for a loaf of rye bread. How did I know it was rye? He dropped it as I screeched to a halt. I stood in horror as he looked directly at me. Then he said something that I didn’t expect.

“Young lady,” he said. (I liked him already). “You are missing much by speeding around such.”

He was so calm as he said this. The kind of calm that comes from experience. I offered a heartfelt apology as I picked up his bread. And then he said something that, quite simply, amazed me. He asked if I had ever read the play Our Town, by Thornton Wilder. That question stopped me in my tracks.

“Yes,” I said. “I have. I taught that play almost every year for 30 years. It is my favorite play.”

He smiled. “Do you know the line… ‘It goes so fast… .’”

And I nodded as I finished the line with him, “‘We don’t have time to look at one another.’”

He gently touched my hand as he received his loaf of rye bread, and he looked me directly in the eyes. He said, “You have pretty green eyes.” Then he laughed and said, “Slow down! You move too fast.”

I almost broke into that old 59th Street Bridge Song… you know the one… “Slow down, you move too fast, you’ve got to make the morning last…” But the elderly sage was patting his bread in his cart and walking away. I called “thank you” instead. He turned. Winked. And away he went.

And you know what? I did slow down. I breathed in the sights and sounds and smells of that grocery store. I helped a young mom pick up a row of rice boxes that her child had knocked off the shelves. I watched a dad explain why the lobsters had large yellow elastics bands around their claws…

… and I heard the child ask, “But Daddy. How do they wipe their butts?”

Oh well. I was “Just lookin’ for fun. And feelin’ groovy.”

All in all, my trip to the grocery store was nothing short of miraculous.

Bowl of Cheerios. Check.

Dora the Explorer. Check.

Grandma’s Blackberry (locked, of course!). Check.

My little 17-month old grandson, Benjamin, is ready for the start of the day!

I was scanning this morning’s newspaper…

You know, the Federal Reserve has plans to toss an additional $630 billion (with a “b”) into the global financial system in order to make lots of cash available worldwide. The Government’s financial rescue plan failed in Congress and the Dow Jones Industrial Average crashed the largest 1-day point drop ever. Gas prices continue to be high. Housing prices and sales continue to plunge. Consumer spending is the weakest it has been, threatening the economy even more.

BUT… The TurboLash All Effects Motion Mascara from Estee Lauder, $30 and exclusive to Saks, sold out. Take heart, though. This magic little gem, featuring a wand that shimmies (yes, as in shimmies) and promises an even coat of mascara as it hums like a hummingbird over your lashes at 125 micro-pulses per second, will soon be restocked on esteelauder.com. Yes, ladies, if we’re just patient enough for the re-stock, $30 will get us well-tipped lashes as we stir our beans, pump our gas, roll our pennies and rosily rivet our house repairs…

Can someone please call the people at Estee Lauder and ask if they could take a little look-see at our federal government’s financial woes? I mean, they’re doing something right!

If you know me well, you know that I love Bran Muffins from Dunkin’ Donuts.

That’s it, though.  Dunkin’ Donuts is it.

I have met lots of Bran Muffins that I don’t like… in restaurants, in coffee shops and cafes, all over the country and even other parts of the world.  I have tried baking my own Bran Muffins from scratch, using many different recipes.  None of them cut it.

So… scientists and geneticists, take notice.  It seems that this little pleasure is a genetic thing.   You see, I can’t walk into Audrey’s home with a Dunkin’ Donuts bag without little voices begging, “Grandma, is that a Bran Muffin?”  This question is obviously rhetorical, because what else could possible be in the bag?

I do not have to answer this rhetorical question, of course.  And next comes, “Can I have some?”

Another rhetorical question.  After all, I am a Grandma, and everything that is mine is theirs.

William has been known to devour my entire Bran Muffin.  Alex has been known to devour my entire Bran Muffin.  And today, Benjamin followed suit.  Both of his older brothers were at pre-school (this is Alex’s first day, now that he’s 3!)… and Benjamin took this opportunity to grab my Dunkin’ Donuts bag, open it, unwrap the muffin, lay it on a napkin, break it into small pieces, and eat the entire thing.

Now, you may be asking, why don’t I just buy 2 or 3 Bran Muffins so everyone can have his own.  Well, them being bran and all… Audrey has always been a little, shall we say,  concerned about the possible explosive effects on her little guys’ digestive systems.

Not to worry.  These guys’ little tummies are made of steel.  Just like their Grandma’s!

Ah… genetics!  Aren’t they, and Dunkin’ Donuts Bran Muffins,  just the best!  (By the way, Henry is 14 weeks old now.  I wonder when his little guilty pleasure will kick in!?)

Happy Birthday, my darling Alexander…

Today, you turn 3 years old.  I feel as though I’ve known you my entire life.  You bring such energy and joy and love and light to our lives… joy and energy and love and light that has no boundaries of time.  You have always been and you will always be!  I remember that brilliant September day so well… the day before you were born. I had come to New York City to visit and your Mommy wanted to go for a walk.  Well, I knew that a walk would probably move you along a bit… and we walked that day all over the city.  We walked all through Central Park… Mommy, William, me and you.  William was loving his red stroller and ice cream.  I was loving the day.  When we got back to the apartment, Mommy felt some little movements.  You!  She called Dr. James’s office and she went in for a quick check.  Dr. James told Mommy to go home and rest… because YOU were going to come the next day.  The next morning, Wednesday, September 28th, Mommy and Daddy headed to the hospital and I stayed with William.  Pop-up and Auntie Janie were on their way from Rhode Island.  And then we waited.

Pop-up, Janie and I took William on long walks, we ate lunch at a local diner… we sat and read and walked William some more… and we waited.  Each time we came back to Lenox Hill, we went in to see Mommy and Daddy.  Mommy was so calm.  So beautiful.  So peaceful.  I was so happy to see her…

And the morning turned into afternoon and the afternoon turned into evening.  The glorious September afternoon rolled into a glorious September night.  Then my cell phone rang.  I was in the waiting room… William had just fallen asleep… and Daddy asked if I wanted to see you be born.  I was elated!  I knew that William was very, very safe with Pop-up and Janie…

Soon, I saw you come into this world.   That moment was the most spiritual and perfect moment of my life.  My baby was giving me another gift… and I was there to see the gift.  You!  I watched in awe of the miracle as you came into our lives.  It was the moment of moments.

Since then, my darling little grandson, I have been in awe of you.  I love you.  I adore you.  I love your humor.  I love your face.  I love your enthusiasm.  I love everything about you.  Everything.

You make every moment more special than the one before.  You bring life.  You are life.  You, my little Ally… are my peach, my honey, my life!  I love you sosoosososoosososssssssssssssssssssssss much!

Happy, Happy Birthday!!

Votes for Women.

Combine one of my favorite cites in the United States, Newport, Rhode Island… with the Nineteenth Amendment… and you get Votes for Women.

Many years ago, my husband gave me a gift of six Votes for Women place settings that he purchased at the famous Marble House in Newport. I had seen the original service in the pantry of the Marble House while touring it with a group of my high school students. I loved the service, and I wanted my own children to see the pieces and know the significance of the Suffrage Movement. Of course, the originals are priceless… used in 1909 at a Suffrage open house at Alva Vanderbilt Belmont’s Tea House on the Marble House property… but fortunately for me, The Preservation Society of Newport County offered adaptations of the originals.

Over the years, my service has grown to twelve place settings, a teapot and accessories. I use this service every day. And each day, I honor the women who fought, debated, spoke for and realized Votes for Women. The commitment to these votes is something that we can never take for granted.

Study the issues. Learn about the candidates. Vote. For women, for men, for our world… and especially for our children.

�

Four years ago today, on a glorious fall Saturday in New York City… we all waited for the arrival of Audrey’s first child.  By all of us, I mean all.  An entire contingent of family had made the flight or 4-hour drive to welcome William.  There was Uncle Doug from Pittsburgh, Matt’s best friend from childhood and now William’s Godfather.  There were all kinds of Coutos… Auntie Jane (William’s Godmother), Uncle Keith and Auntie Nicole with Taylor and Andrew, Uncle Adam and Auntie Aimee with Maddie and Jake.  There were cell phones attached to the voices of Matt’s parents and sisters in Pittsburgh and to all the Great-grandmothers.

And, of course, Barry and me.  Audrey had called the night before at around 5:30 pm to tell us that they were headed to the hospital.  We were on our way to Newport for dinner, but immediately turned around, picked up Janie… and headed to the city.  I laugh now that I was concerned about getting there on time for William’s arrival.  As it turned out, he didn’t make his appearance until the next afternoon!

Oh… and we did wait!   We waited in the waiting room.  We waited through breakfast and lunch.  We waited for updates from Matt.  We even had Uncle Doug, who is charmingly gorgeous, try to work his way into the labor room for more personal updates.  The nursing staff would have none of it.  Audrey was laboring, and that was that.  I did make it in for a few kisses… and great big hugs… but Matt and Audrey were doing just beautifully in the wait and work for William’s entrance.

Then… Matt walked into the hallway with the grandest smile of smiles.  William had arrived!  Matt showed the ecstatic crowd a couple of photos… and then I went in to see my beautiful daughter’s first baby.  I cried. Audrey cried.  Janie cried.  Barry cried.  We were crying with the happiness of angels and saints and poets and philosophers.

My little William.  7 lbs.  6 oz.  21 inches.  Every pound, every ounce, every inch… perfection!

My little William turns 4 today.  And still, every pound, every ounce, every inch of him is total perfection!

I love you, darling William.  Happy, Happy Birthday!!  Love you always… Grandma

Celebration and more phone calls!  WILLIAM IS HERE!

I love trains. I love train stations. I love their smell. Their histories.

I love journeys over rails. I love the sounds. The gentle rocking.

I love building long and winding train tracks with my grandchildren. Last night, I had a couple of those delightful hours when we had time to design… and execute… our plans. William, Alexander and I took all of the tracks from my special “track drawers.” (Yes, I actually purchased a piece of furniture a few years ago that would accommodate lots and lots of tracks and trains and train accessories.)

We began in my front parlor, wound the tracks into the hallway, over a bridge to the family room, into the kitchen, through the library and back to the front parlor. Then we each gathered our own trains… Thomas, James, and other Sodor specials, animal cars, birthday cars, Polar Express cars, cabooses… and, of course, houses and trees and people of all shapes and sizes. Last night we even had Superman and Spiderman with us.

To lay on the ground with my little guys and push the little cars into the next cars with their little magnets… to make choo-choo and brake squealing sounds as we push the cars up and down the bridges, over streams and ice and braking stations… to ring the little bells and wave to the children lined up next to the tracks… well, it is simply the greatest happiness of all.

And, there is always the true and real promise of a next time… �

The CVS/Caremark Downtown 5K winds through the beautiful and historic streets of downtown Providence. This past Sunday, the CVS 5K kicked off under a spectacular blue, sun-filled sky. More than 8,000 runners registered for the race, including more than 6,000 for the main race event. The starting field included eight Olympic runners, including Massachusetts’s Shalane Flamagan, a bronze medalist in Beijing, and Anthony Famigletti, who represented the United States in the steeple chase in Beijing. Also running was Joan Benoit Samuelson, the first woman to win the Olympic Marathon in 1984.

The air was electric with excitement, starting with the earliest race at 8:00 am for the 1-3 year old runners in the 100-yard dash. And our family was there, right from the beginning…

William, coming in to tie for 1st place in 1-3 year old division.

The running Grandsons… Alex (2), Benjamin (1,in stroller), Jake (4), Andrew (5), William (3)

The running Granddaughters… Taylor and Maddie (both 7)

Son Keith running to finish!

Son Adam running to finish!

(l-r) Friends Laura & Lori, daughter-in-law Nicole, brother Rick, and sister-in-law Karen

Cousins cheering on the runners!

The road race did go to the two Olympians… but the organizers and sponsors of the race made each runner and spectator, young, old and otherwise, feel like a champion!