Ode to grandkids

An old proverb remarks: "Children's children are the crown of old men"

The author knew what he was talking about, after all, he had 700 wives and 300 concubines, so he must have had lots of grandchildren. The interesting thing is that he made this observation despite the fact that those of his grandchildren with whom we are familiar didn't turn out all that great. But then, that is the story of mankind. Fortunately God has had compassion and provided a Way. Therefore we can look to our grandchildren with pride and joy, because they are made in God's image, and in them are hidden treasures and talents, waiting to be discovered. To prove Solomon right, allow me to use my own grandchildren to prove the point:

God has blessed me with three boys, two of which have 4 children each:

I will present them in two groups, by family:

1. There is Audrey, 10, very pretty and turning into a young lady, mature for her age and needless to say, among the best, if not the best student in her class. After all, her mother sacrificed her career as a dentist to give her children the best possible upbringing, spending practically every waking moment with the four.

2. Then there is Eryn, 9, striving to compete with and if possible better her older sister every step of the way, and if I may say so, doing a remarkable job at it. She is doing at least as well as her sister in school. Wonderful to see is the close friendship between them. May God preserve that friendship.

3. Carl, 5, - I don't know, what to say. He is a ham, bursting with talents despite his young age. It will be interesting to watch him grow up.

4. Then there is Avory, 3. He is the cutest ever, laughing since the day he was born. I have never seen him bad-tempered, except right after waking from his nap, which is understandable.



Isn't he cute?


The next group is also made up of two girls and two boys, except the order of their birth is a little different.

1. There is Mandy, 19, by now a very pretty young lady, successful as a softball player.

AYALA HS
Four year varsity letterwinner for the Bulldogs • earned All-Sierra League honors all four seasons • served as team captain and was named team MVP as a junior and senior • Sierra League Player of the Year and All-CIF Division II Second Team selection as a senior • hit .342 as a senior with four home runs and 23 RBI • threw all but two innings for the Bulldogs in the circle, going 17-8 with a 1.01 ERA and 162 strikeouts in 173 innings.

PERSONAL
Born June 13, 1987, in Upland, Calif. • parents are Ed and Gina Pongs • has two younger brothers, Cameron and Bryce, and a younger sister, Tatum • played travel ball with the O.C. Batbusters under coach Gary Haning, winning national championships in 2003 and 2004 and finishing third in 2005.




2. Then there is her brother Cameron, 14, a handsome young man. When he was 5, I had the privilege of spending a day with him in Disneyland, a day I will never forget. He impressed me and all those we talked to with his smarts. As a matter of fact sometime later he made the comment (which I know I should not repeat, but I guess my grandfather's heart is getting the better of me): My sister is the athlete and I am the brain of the family. He is doing a fine job helping his parents raise his younger siblings.

3. Then there is Bryce, 9, trying hard to follow in his big brother's footsteps. He is turning into a very polite and handsome young man. He does best what kids his age do best: play electronic games.

4. Finally there is Tatum, 2. She loves her dog, and being the youngest, she is her parents' pride and joy.

Their mother has given up her career as a Sheriff as well, to dedicate herself to raising her children, much to be commended. Needless to say that Mandy did not become a crack softball pitcher overnight. It took many trips to the baseball field and many hours of coaching, the credit of much of which goes to her dad.




Tatum with her best friend.