In my family I'm the matriarch of four generations now. As the eldest girl I inherited all the responsibilities of the mother of the family but as life has gone on I've had kids, grandkids, nephews, nieces and now great of each. I take particular interest in the first born girl of the next generation, my niece and her daughter, my great niece, as I was the first born girl of my generation and they each of theirs - its a spiritual thing but also an Elder thing. I am also godmother to 21 who have become defacto grandchildren and my oldest boys best mate became a son over the years and he has just told me his third child is on the way - he told me as soon as they knew. My step-son and his wife now have three girls who honour me as granny and so it goes. By the same token I have watched the children in my neighbourhood grow up and have children of their own who I almost regard as family and certainly, they rely on me as an older woman in the community. I have always known it was going to be like this - even if I hadn't had my children I always knew there was going to be a time when I would care for many generations - and it is a choice to engage or not as well as being an honoured and sacred role and one of the gifts of ongoing years. Part of the so-called 'getting of wisdom' which is also, in many cases, a gift of the years. Love it all, love it all. It fills my heart and makes me glad to be alive. A toast to all us grande ladies and gents!