New to the world: Neil Stribling. I’m his great-uncle, brother of his grandfather Jay, who called me to tell me about his arrival, just as he did little Neil’s father Sam, back in February 1983. The baby is also my mother’s first great-grandchild.

I forget who said it — might have been Garrison Keillor on the radio some years ago — that grandchildren are emissaries to a future you will not see. The same goes for grandnephews and -nieces, I think. With any luck, he’ll be my age in 2071 and could well make it to the 22nd century. Best wishes for that, little Neil.