Celebrating Birth: Baby and Nation

At 11:07 pm on Wednesday, June 27, we welcomed a grandson:  Tobias Joseph King, born to younger daughter, Leyla, and her husband Ben King.  For those who are my friends on FB, you already know this and have seen Toby's photos.

Tobias Joseph King (Toby or TJ or as Zeyna likes to call him, Toby Joe)

The three King siblings: Fred, Bea, and Toby

Thankfully, we have Facebook and FaceTime so that I keep in touch with older daughter, Zeyna, and her family during this time of change in my life. 

 Oldest granddaughter, Teeny with newish dog, Osaka

The Ballee girls in their new pool in their home in the South of France

My own most exciting news is that I am now officially a Tennessean and no longer a Virginian. I finally have a Tennessee driver's license.  I thought giving up my VA driver's license would make me sad, but that didn't happen.  I am excited for this new chapter and probably the last in my life .  Beginning in Lebanon where I was born, I have lived in Syria, then back to Lebanon, then in the States of Illinois, Texas, Virginia, and now Tennessee.  Who would have thought?  Joe was with me in four of these six phases.  I still miss him.

But talking about the States, brings me to celebrating the fourth of July in my new small town. It was truly a pleasure and a delight.  I am not sure what I am more excited about: spending the fourth of July in Sewanee as a Tennessean or running around town with my two grandchildren.  

I walked more than seven miles on the fourth of July, mostly in ninety degree scorching sun, and pushing a stroller.  The day started with me walking the 1.2-mile distance from my abode to the Kings' at 7:30 a.m. where I picked up Fred and Bea, regaled in their red, white, and blue and waving American flags.  We made it to the raising of the flag ceremony in the nick of time.  More than a hundred people sang patriotic songs, accompanies by a small brass band, after a short prayer thanking God for our Country and freedom.  Then the flag was raised and we all pledged allegiance to it and to the Republic for which it stands.  What impressed me the most is that Fred, 7 years old, took off his baseball cap and reveretly recited the pledge and sang the national anthem.  Truly touching!   Pompa is proud!

Then off we went to peruse the vatious craft show booths and stands which lined University Avenue. We stopped off at my house for a break, some air-conditioning relief from the unrelenting heat, and some snacks.  We walked back to the children's play area for an hour of sheer joy for the multitudes of kid, and pure agony for their parents and grandparents.  The kids jumped and fished and battled and ran and sweat and screamed while parents swealtered in the burning sun, catching up on news and gossip.  It was amazing how many people stopped to congratulate me on the birth of Toby; some I knew and some total strangers, although they knew me since I was with Fred and Bea.  They welcomed me warmly to Sewanee.  Lunch at the cafeteria followed, although not much food was eaten.  It was then time to go to a birthday party in a park not too far from the cafeteria.  More playing and sweating ensued. By two p.m. we were ready to watch the parade. Oh joy!  More excitement and heat and sweating.  Fire trucks, Sheriffs' cars, bands on floats, candidates running for various posts, horses, and other creatures passed by, throwing candy to the delighted kids as we sat on the porch of a local business, less than a block from where I live. The Kings' parental unit joined us with baby Toby on his first outing.

I am enjoying my new life.  As you know, I come out of retirement tomorrow, to start working on the syllabus for the Arabic course I will be teaching in the fall semester, which begins on August 29.  

That's my news for now.  Write me a note here or via email if you can.