By nature I am a worrier, so it takes a lot of practice to keep my mind in the present. The point of any practice is to work at it until it gets easier, but letting go of expectations is particularly challenging for me. These days, however, I’m being taught to stay in the moment on a whole new level by my toddler grandson. He is two and a half, an age that provides hourly delights and challenges for him (and for all those who are involved with his care). His tender and demonstrative nature combined with his limitless curiosity, substantial vocabulary, improving dexterity, surprising strength, and superhuman physical energy make him a teacher like no other. Every morning I must put aside any thoughts I have about desired outcomes or grander goals and simply go with the flow. One morning, he might decide to climb into the car seat on his own while simultaneously describing every step required to start and drive the car (he has a little trouble pronouncing the word “ignition,” but he knows where it goes in the sequence). That afternoon, he will want to avoid the car seat all together and concentrate completely on the fallen leaves on the sidewalk. As I have discovered in other areas of my life, my best coping tools are ingenuity, distraction, gentle nudging, absurd song lyrics, and a sense of humor. Sometimes there are tears, but these are amply compensated for by the most generous hugs in the world. When I crawl into my bed at night, it doesn’t take long to fall asleep. I barely have time to bring to mind the things I’m grateful for, so I’m glad the list is short: another day of being present in the life of my grandson and his family.