My son got his new girlfriend pregnant on the second date. Knowing there would be no long-term relationship, I fought against the child coming into the world. But at birth, one look is all it took. I was transformed in an instant.

This is the story of my grandson Miles and me.

When Miles was very small he loved to fall sleep on my tummy. One night when he was five years old, lying there, he lifted his head, looked me straight in the eye and said, "You are the papa I could have. I am the son you could have. Life never ends even when you're dead. True love never dies."

Five years old! Stunned does not describe my reaction. There are many more such surprises in these pages.

For parents I've included substantial footnotes on child-rearing, the importance of touch, and more.