Newborn cries are a welcome relief to parents and caregivers alike when a baby is delivered into the world. A collective inhale and a sigh of exhale accompany the mother’s final push, but not before the baby takes his first breath. The whole room is waiting expectantly, and if anything prevents that all-important gasp, immediate …
No Family History
Three photos exist capturing five generations of my family. The first was taken when I was an infant and includes my mother, her mother, grandmother and great grandmother. The second was taken only two years ago when my grandmother met my first grandson, and the third last year when she met my first granddaughter. My …
Uncomfortable Silence
Days between the grandchildren’s visits last longer than other days, I’m sure of it. The hours pass slowly and the silence is much more distracting than their chatter. I remember the early days of parenting when my husband would come home from work and make his way around to asking how I stood the constant …
Holding Onto Hope
My granddaughter is a year old and so full of life! Her parents call it energy. She’s a busy bee. She’s rarely ever still. She climbs everything and talks constantly. She and the Great Danes have an understanding. She’s the boss. She keeps up with her two year old cousin. She is so much like …
Creating Division
My grandson unknowingly exposed a quirk of mine as he’s begun to talk, quite possibly one I’ve unwittingly passed on to his mother. His words come full speed now in groups of two or three, repeating everyone and everything. My daughter noticed that he would not say shoes and when she asked him what they …
Like a Child
My daughter and my sister are kid magnets. Children single them out in public places as approachable. A little one may come right up and start a conversation or latch onto them unexpectedly, surprising them and the parents or caregivers. It’s definitely how God wired them as they both chose teaching as a vocation, but …
Jesus Loves You The Most
Christmas is half a year away in either direction, but we keep the nativity play set out all year. We sing Away In A Manger each time the babies press the angel on top to start the music and often at bedtime. One day recently, my grandson held the baby Jesus as we sang and …
Wait For It
I paid the balance due for our vacation rental this morning. Only one more month! We’re looking forward to a few days at the beach during my granddaughter’s birthday week. It’s the gift her parents requested. She has enough toys already and she only turns one once. Lord willing, we’ll digitally capture some firsts and …
Called By Name
I remember being called Mrs. Ross as a newlywed and thinking Mrs. Ross is my mother in law. I readily identified as Paul’s wife but Mrs. Ross was a title that took some growing into. In fact, I commonly asked to be called Mrs. LeAnn because it seemed less formal and made it easier for …
What Joy!
Pure joy! A most apt description of grandchildren now that I have them. So many people, friends and strangers alike, told me how wonderful this tertiary generation would prove to be but before they came into the world, before I held them and knew them, I simply could not comprehend. The capacity of my heart …
A Fitting Reply 