Granddaughter Luna (age 11) joined her 5th grade class yesterday in rehearsals for a Revolutionary War reenactment. She was playing Patrick Henry. Apparently, her team came in 1st Place in the official event following this rehearsal.

When I first saw this video, I didn’t even recognize Luna. I was impressed with this clearly”older” student’s charming confidence, enthusiastic delivery, and ability to read such difficult words. It was only afterward that I looked more closely and saw it was our Luna. When did she get so grown-up?

Sweet Luna Isabella Pacheco Beaty will soon complete 5th grade in her English-Spanish immersion program in which she’s been participating since kindergarten. Not only is she now fluent in Spanish, but she is also quite proficient in English. She will graduate from her elementary school in South Pasadena and head off to the central middle school. While I see her often and know she’s maturing, I was taken aback when I finally recognized her on the video. She is not just maturing; she is already quite a little grown-up.

Many of my hometown friends had their children earlier than I did and now have grandchildren who are young adults. They all say, like all grandparents do, “Where did the time go?” Well, count me now among them. Where DID the time go?

I am grateful to have this darling, smart, talented, and loving young woman in my life. I am genuinely amused by her well-delivered comedy routines, nod with amazement when she clarifies for me facts about nature that she has learned (and I never knew), and feel humbled by her authentic kind-heartedness towards her siblings, family, and friends.

Count me among the blessed to be one of sweet Luna’s grandmothers. I know her Abuelita feels about her exactly as I do.

Congratulations, Luna, on your team’s win and your upcoming graduation from elementary school. I am very proud of you and love you more than I could ever say.

Here’s to a job well done!