Grandchildren

With two of the five girls married (Carrie and Mindi), I knew it was just a matter of time before I became a grandmother. I would see grandmothers in the store, restaurants, and I knew of some who actually babysat them during the week.

I wasn't sure how I would feel about becoming a grandmother. I wondered if I would feel old and therefore at the end of my term on earth.

Carrie had difficulty conceiving and I believed it would be a few years until Mindi had a child.

Carrie announced that she was pregnant. It was great news and yet it bothered me. What kind of a grandmother would I be? You hear the saying all the time "you fill them up with candy and soda and send them home." I didn't want to be this kind of a grandmother....I wanted to share my faith, love and hug them, be a role model, be there if they needed a hug, someone to talk to and maybe share memories with.

Carrie indicated that I should raise her child like I did her. This scared me--would I, at the age I am, be able to do that? Would I just let them do whatever they wanted. Was I up to the challenge? You see those children in the stores running around, being rude and sassy and I just didn't want my grandchild to be like that.

Carrie had some issues with her pregnancy and as I went to some doctors appointments with her, I found myself getting more and more excited about it. My best friend Debbie has three grandchildren and I found myself asking her questions and getting as much information as I could.

On December 20, 2005 Carrie delivered a beautiful baby boy--Tucker James. He was gorgeous. I was so anxious that day I couldn't stand it. I knew she was in the hospital and I hadn't heard anything. So I drove to the hospital....unfortunately, her room faced the parking lot and she saw my Tahoe coming.

I got to her room and there was Carrie in bed. Roger holding that little bundle. What did he do? He offered me that little bundle. I held him in my arms and you just melt. You count the toes, the fingers. You study the eyelashes, the nose, the chin and the little fingernails. You can't look at this little child and not know this is a miracle from God.

Needless to say, I love being a grandmother....who wouldn't want to just sit with a child on their lap and read, or see their face light up when you come into their view, or have them say "sit by me" to make you feel special and that life is so good.

Again, we come back to the fact that life is a gift.

On November 12, 2009, another daughter, Mindi had a beautiful baby boy--Garrett. As I held him in my arms I again studied him. How can you not love these little ones and the thought of the joy they will bring to one's life.

Little Garrett had some issues just 3 days after being born. Prayers were offered up for him and his family. We must always remember that God has our name written down in the Book of Life. He knows how long and our purpose on this earth. Little Garrett had surgery today to correct a vein at the base of his brain.

After almost three hours, he was out of surgery and came through with flying colors. Prayers answered. This sweet young boy will heal and make us smile and bring us joy I'm sure.

But again we must remember that life is precious!! What must happen for us to take this to heart? Heart attack? Losing someone we love? Or worse yet, someone being a vegetable or altzheimers before we realize we must change and really live life with respect, doing the right thing, kindness and love.

Don't waste another minute--make that change, take that step and reach out to everyone. Life isn't just about you and me and our immediate families. We are all tied together by some small commonality. We're all just trying to get by and have a good life.


End of sermon.....till we talk again.