I never thought I’d become one of those women who flips out the grandchild pictures every chance she gets.

“Give me a break,” I thought. “No child is that perfect.”

Until now, that is. Taylor Joy Ravenscraft arrived on July 14, and never a more perfect child has there been. Perfectly formed, perfectly happy, perfectly self-scheduled to wake up every two hours.

Needless to say, her timing is impeccable. What better antidote to grief than a brand new life! Especially one whose parents are responsible for those nighttime awakenings.

Like so many experiences with grown children, watching my son (“the wild child,” we called him) so carefully tending his daughter feels amazing. It’s a reward I hadn’t imagined during the harried days of working and raising my own.

As a friend pointed out, “Grandchildren are your reward for not killing your kids.” If you’re on the verge, hang in there. It’s a heck of a reward.