Grandpa gets a new name

I am new this concept of 'blogging' but I am going to make an effort to write down my thoughts about being a grandfather, and about building an online business with my adult children. Our new business venture http://www.babytravelplanet.com/ is helping people to travel with a baby by providing people with useful baby travel tips and baby gear that is good quality and affordable.

My grandson's name is Holden and he is just over 9 months old. Here is my story about how I first met Holden.

First Encounters of the Loving Kind

I first met Holden on the day he was born. Now I am a first time grandpa, so I may be a bit biased here, but he was the most beautiful boy I had ever seen.

I am sure every grandparent feels that way when they first see their new grandchild—but here is where our story—the story of Holden and JoPa—becomes different, very different.

When I first held Holden his eyes were closed and he was happily sound asleep.

Then all of a sudden his eyes popped open and he said—yes he talked—“are you the guy that takes people to football games and tailgate parties?”

I was astounded, “you can talk?”

Holden responded, “of course I can—but only you and I know that—and don’t tell my mom and dad—because then my crying wouldn’t work with them.”

“But can’t they hear you talking?” I asked.

“No, I just told you only you can hear me. So, whatever your name is—answer my question— are you the guy that takes people to football games and tailgate parties?”

“Well, yes I am.” I replied. “Why do you ask?”

Holden then said, “Because I want to go to a game, and I am ready to tail gate party!!! Oh, oh, oh, I heard that there is this really, really old guy who coaches one of the football teams, and his name is Joe something or other. Do you know who that is?”

“Yes, Holden”, I said, “I know who you are talking about—his name is Joe Paterno, but people call him JoePa. He coaches the Penn State football team.”

Holden almost shouted back, “ya, ya that’s the guy, that’s the team I want to go see play at our first game together.”

I was delighted to have a new partner to go to football games with and I beamed back to Holden, “I sure will take you to see Penn State and JoPa play football.”

Holden started to nod off—it was as if all the talking was making him tired. Before he fell asleep, he dreamily had one last thing to say, “Hey, mister what’s your name so I’ll know what to call you the next time we get together?”

I said, “I’m your grandpa—so you can call me grandpa.”

Holden looked at me with a puzzled look and replied back, “hey, like you are really old like that JoPa guy, so instead of calling you grandpa, I am going to call you JoePa.”

And then he fell sound asleep, and my whole life changed.

My name is now JoePa.

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JoPa