A retired captain's take on being grandpa

One of the area's Veterans Day speakers also knows a little something about "The Art of Grandparenting." That's the title of the book Tim Stewart of Johnsburg helped author.

Stewart, a veteran and one of the speakers today at McHenry High School East Campus, contributed the essay, "Grandparenting: Your Reward for Raising Your Own" to the book. (He actually wanted to call it "Grandparenting: Your Reward for not Killing Your Own," but for some reason, his publisher didn't go for it.)

The essay is his latest published work. A motivational speaker, he owns the business Reach for Your Dreams and has had two books - "Positive Force" and "I Owe it to My Friend" - published. You can read more about him and his business on his web site, www.reachforyourdreams.com.

Among the many titles he's held throughout his life, grandpa is one he definitely cherishes. Stewart has three children and five grandchildren, ranging in age from 19 months old to six.

"My main message was just to enjoy them every second," Stewart said. 

Motivated by her first grandchild, Stewart's publisher, Valerie Connelly of Nightengale Press, had called him asking him to contribute to the book.

He thought back on the things he missed as a parent.

"As you become a grandparent, you realize business isn't nearly important as family," he said. 

He remembered that even if his parents weren't able to make it to games, recitals or other events, his grandparents were there. So that's what he intends to do as a grandparent: be there.

His second message is this: spoil them.

"My dad and my father-in-law would do things that drove me nuts," he said.

Now that he's a grandfather, he gets it. 

"A grandson lives in Dallas. When he's around, I spoil the kid rotten," he said. "That's my job."

For more information on the book, described as "a funny, touching, informing, heartfelt collection of essays, stories and how-to's from experienced grandparents," go to the web site www.Theartofgrandparenting.com.

Stewart asks that you e-mail him with "grandparenting" in the subject title at r4yd@comcast.net to order the book. He'll even sign it personally for you.