I absolutely LOVE your column and feel like I can relate to them all.(I always wanted to write to you as you feel like an old time friend). As I read "My first grandchild..." tears were streaming down my face. I live in Pa and my 2 daughters live in SC and Fla but I was there for the birth of both of my grand daughters. Congratulations...your life is forever changed. Looking forward to hearing more about him.

I was thrilled to read that your grandson hads arrived and know how excited you are. My daughter will give us a new grandbaby in 9 weeks and we are thrilled as our youngest grandchild is almost 19. I met you in Salado, TX last September and had hoped you might be returning this year, but certainly understand that your trips will most likely be to Monterey for awhile. It is awful being far away, my other grandchildren are in MA; but the new one will be in Dallas, only a 3 hour drive. Your column is my first choice in the Sunday paper. Thank you for sharing your life with all of us and I'll be anxious to read what you will be called by Randy. Congratulations Grandma, Patricia

8am Sunday Aug. 29 (Snifffle) Oh, Sharon! I am right there with you! (tissue) Congratulations on your new grandbaby....he will change your life! Today, we are waiting for "THE" call and if it doesn't come by 2pm, we leave anyway for our grandson to be induced early in the morning! (Can't wait!) This is my only son's first baby; our daughter has two little ones, ages 1 and 2 1/2. But this little guy is a first for our son and his wife and it changes their lives and ours again! Ditto on the suitcase packing! Mine sat there, and sat there, knowing full well we could get an early call. So yesterday, I packed it and slept with two phones by my bed! We have a drive that will be just over two hours, and you know we won't miss the opportunity to tell anyone along the way where we are going! Since Easter Sunday, when they announced to both families that the baby would be a little boy named Hudson Joseph, it seems like we've known the little guy! God bless your new grandson....and ours! LOVE your columns!

I have goose-bumps! Congratulations on this wonderful addition to your life ... you're in for a relationship that I can't really describe with words. There's just nothing like being a Grandma. It just keeps getting better. Welcome to the club!

Congratulations new grandmother. You will be a wonderful grandmother, what a fortunate family. Enjoy that new little fellow and enjoy your new role in life.

Sharon, as I read your column in today's paper, I felt compelled to write. Thank you from this retired elementary teacher, mother & grandmother for your words of inspiration about what children need to start school. It really is about more than school supplies purchased at Wal Mart. Some things are priceless, you said it well. I didn't realize when I went to the computer that I would discover a special web site & writer, but after reading the entrys in the guest book, I'm about to read your past columns & looking forward to more.

Wanted to see you in Abilene, this spring but did not get tickets in time. Very disappointed miss. Enjoyed you in Abilene several years ago. Thanks for coming to our area. Give me a special note where I can get in line for tickets. Ha. Love your articles...Jane

I love all your columns, but your column from today (Aug. 22) about what children really need to get ready for school was special to me. My first (and only, so far) granddaugter is starting school soon. In all the excitement over school clothes shopping and such, sometimes the most important things get overlooked. I will be saving the column and sharing it with my son. Thank you so much for your insight, your humor and for sharing so much of your life with us. Never stop writing!! P.S. Wait until you get that first grandbaby in your arms. It's a feeling that can't be described..... but I'm sure you will find a way! God bless.

Thank you for the column "Back to School list: A No. 2 pencil and a willingness to erase." I'm a retired teacher, a mother, a grandmother, a student (yes, still!), and I just wanted to reinforce the items on your list from all of those vantage points.

This morning your article on Sister Act: opposites sharing fun times, . .caught my eyes I must say after reading as one being "just a baby" myself I found this article most enlightening and tugging at my heart strings. You see my oldest sister and I share this type of relationship but the fun and laughter is missing and I so much long to bring this into our relationship. My oldest sister has been thru so much sadness in her life and I desire to try to bring some of that laugher back into it. Perhaps on the flip side I should be the one taking her to the circus and then watch her act like a kid. That would indeed be music to my heart. Just wanted you to know that your story gave me hope that one day this situation would be just so for us. Thank you for giving me that hope and sharing this column with me.