My 13-year-old granddaughter, Eva, has spent the first three weeks of her summer vacation at the famous arts camp in Interlochen, Michigan. She’s really enjoying her high-level introduction to writing poetry, autobiographical reflections, and fiction.
On this blog, I’ve written about Eva and our relationship several times — most revealingly, I think, in a poem I wrote to her on her 13th birthday.
I’m so proud of this young woman and cherish the conversations we share as we frequently take our exercise in morning walks. We always end up sitting by the Saugatuck River consuming treats from Starbucks.
In any case, Eva is a writer with ambitions to eventually pursue a degree in English with an emphasis on creative writing at Princeton (her father’s university) or Wellesley (her mother’s alma mater).
However, at this point, she’s just getting started though the instruction she’s received at Pierrepont School here in Westport, CT has been excellent. It has prepared her well for Interlochen.
During my nearly 14-year conversation with my granddaughter, Eva has evidenced more interest in creative prose rather than poetry. “Poetry’s just not my thing,” she’s told me more than once.
So, you can imagine my surprise when during the first week at Interlochen she waxed enthusiastic about her poetry classes. She shared with me her first sonnet. Its topic was to be some personal experience. Eva chose to write about witnessing the birth of her 4th brother, Sebastian 3 years ago.
Here’s what she wrote:
Sonnet: I saw a new life come into the world It was a magical experience; A small red baby with his fingers curled, His vision blurred and brain delirious. It made my eyes shine with watery tears And my body feel a sense of wonder; His skin is as soft as small rabbit ears, I whisper to my mom how I love her, And how proud I am of her good effort. She smiles at me and says it’s not the first Also babies always make her head hurt; But after the baby had bathed and nursed, And to our fam’ly friends we said farewell My mom let me name him, Sebastian Nels.
Over the next few days, I’ll share two other pieces Eva has written at Interlochen — one a personal reflection, the other a work of fiction.
About Things That Matter 
Mister Rivage, I am touched to the core to read Eva’s sonnett. Also to realize the beautiful relationship you have built with your granddaughter.Lucky man, lucky Eva, I would say. From somewhere along the Trinity river on Hwy 299 in California, I salute you. Rodolfo J ContrerasEmail: rcontreras73@netscape.net
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Thanks so much for your kind words, Rodolfo. I agree; I’ve been very blessed to have such a wonderful devoted granddaughter. I’m devoted to her as well.
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This is so lovely, Mike …. and a beautiful picture of the three of you!
Eva is well on her way to being quite a writer! Give her my best!! Love, Peggy
On Tue, Jul 12, 2022 at 12:59 PM About Things That Matter < comment-reply@wordpress.com> wrote:
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