I spent the day with my grandchildren today – such joy! We went to the 4th of July parade together, just the four of us in a crowd of other families on a warm sunny day.
Watching my granddaughter encourage her little brother to look at this float, or that firetruck, things she knew he would enjoy, seeing them laugh together as they gathered up candy, listening to the giggle of my youngest grandson as he bounced to the music of the marching band … Oh! My heart nearly exploded with love!
I never dreamed I would enjoy being called Gramma as much as I do. I never even dreamed I’d have grandchildren at all. I remember the day my granddaughter was born just as quickly as I remember the day her mother was born – the pure love etched in my heart forever. The same with the arrival of her brothers, each day so special. Who knew the joy of grandchildren could outshine the joy of my own children?
The way their faces light up when they see me, how they call out to me, “Hey Gramma!” The bedtimes rocking them to sleep as I sing Amazing Grace until their little eyes close. Playing cars on the floor, laughing as they tell me stories, or the hours at softball games cheering the team on. Each and every memory tucked neatly into the file cabinet of my mind for safe keeping.
God has blessed my life with so much over the years, but the gift of my children’s children is perhaps one of the most precious.
“Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.” Proverbs 17:6
From Suffering to Praise 