How in the world did this happen?
May 16, 2018 | My Jottings
Sometimes I look at my grandchildren and wonder, how in the world did this happen? How did you all get to be so old, so tall, so beautiful, so handsome, so funny, so talented, so unique, so heartbreakingly priceless? My 10th living grandchild will be born later this summer, and one little granddaughter has gone on ahead of us to heaven.
Since Sharon and Chris take their kids on regular trips, she recently took photos for their passports.
This is Mr. McBoy. Almost 16. He’s 6′ 5″ tall. Plays sports. Loves to watch sports. Has his driver’s permit. His first girlfriend. (Gah.) And he called me on Sunday to tell me he loved me and to wish me a happy Mother’s Day. When I see him it seems like he was just yesterday tiptoeing past a dark room in our old house (in his diapers) and whispering to me that there was an ocelot in that room. I feel deeply bonded to him forever.
This is Mrs. Nisky. She’s almost 14. Has the most beautiful copper hair and such enviable freckles. She plays the cello. Keeps a bullet journal for her day planner. Is a talented artist. Will be in high school next year. (Gah.) It seems like just yesterday that she and I were sitting at the dining room table making Christmas garland together, a fire burning in the hearth, and reading chapters from Treasures in the Snow. She touches a place deep in my heart that no one else can.
This is Li’l Gleegirl. She just turned 11. She’s got her daddy’s hair color, and hasn’t hit her growth spurt yet. She plays the violin and piano, takes dance lessons, and just won a lead part in a local production of Peter Pan.Ā She likes to do the Macarena every morning before school. (Gah.) Loves time with her friends. It seems like just yesterday that I was teaching her how to build a ball from some Magformers, and taking her to feed the ducks at the cemetery. I could squeeze this lovely girl so tight — she brings joy to my life.
This is Weezer. She is almost 6. Has her mama’s hair color and is basically her twin. She loves bugs. Likes to handle them and isn’t creeped out by them. She can climb a rope to the top of a gymnasium without much effort. She calls me Old Pickleson. (Gah.) Just learned to ride her bike without training wheels. Doesn’t like when her brother calls her Louis or when classmates mistakenly call her Lisa. It seems like only yesterday when I took her older siblings down to the hospital to meet her for the first time, and we all fell in love. She makes my heart wrench with an ache and a thrill.
How in the world did this happen?
I know the feeling. We are about to celebrate another wedding & another grandchild & I think: *How can this be? They are just babies. Surely it was only yesterday my twins stood in the big Puddle outside our kitchen window with sticks for fishing rods; only yesterday my big little girl bribed her little sister to walk with big, luscious strawberries? * And yet time HAS passed. Disappeared like vapour. And still I see mother’s is so much hurry for their little ones to grow up & I think:*Don’t they know? This passes all to soon.* Then I wonder: What would it have been like if Adam & Eve had kept their act together? Hmmm…
Congratulations on another grandbaby and the upcoming wedding, Ganeida. We remember those very poignant times with our children, and I also wish we older women could convey to the younger ones how the next decades will pass in minutes. I hope you are all doing well! My love to you… xoxo
What beautiful talented grandchildren. I’m still waiting. Hopefully in the next few years if my daughter stops traveling. She sends love from the Seychelles on Mothers Day. I’m not without children in my life. Sunday my niece’s 2 babies will be baptized (Scarlet Rose and Luca Mario). My nephew and his wife are also the proud parents of two beautiful girls 7 and 5. Children are God’s blessing to us. God must be smiling to see how loved your grandchildren are and pleased that they have such wonderful parents and grandmother. God Bless you Julie.
Your words are always so uplifting, Nancy. Thank you. I pray you are blessed with a grandchild or two! Or three. š Have a blessed week. xoxo
Hello Julie,
Such lovely grandchildren. š
Of course I especially remember Weezer’s birth! š
Our grandsons are aged 8 and 5 now. They have been coming to church with us (with their dad, our son) for over a year but now our son’s ex-wife has insisted they can no longer attend church because she sees it as brainwashing!
This is so sad, especially as our son is being baptized this morning. A joyful day that will be tinged with a little sadness. But only a little, because we will not let the enemy steal our joy! We are encouraging Chris to also join in with church family life outside of Sundays so that those precious boys will be learning Christian family love.
As for time flying by, well when I was about 54/55 I became saddened by how old I was! Silly I know, but inside I thought I was only in my early 40s. š
However, as I’m about to become 59 (so very close to the big 60) I am at peace with my aging.
God is GOOD and He looks after us.
Actually, when you think about it, aging for Christians is really us just getting closer to heaven. š
xxx
So many good things I could talk about with you, Kay. I loved your “we will not let the enemy steal our joy!” — your attitude is so inspiring. I’m so happy about Chris, and know God will look after his children too. I hope you and Alan can celebrate your big birthday — you’re right behind me. I’m in that club now too. My love to you both… xoxo
I remember especially Mr McBoy’s willingness to give Jesus his puppy (Rosie??) because she was his dearest treasure. That he thought he actually had to do it and was prepared to even though it broke his heart. Please tell me I didn’t actually make this up!! My memory is so awful.
YOUR memory is awful? I’m surprised you remember that, Ember, because guess what?? I didn’t! MY memory is awfuller. It’s scary sometimes. I’m pretty sure it has to do with the way my online/iphone use is rewiring my brain, and I don’t like it. Love to you today…. xoxo
Just checking in. Haven’t heard from you in awhile. Hope you are having a wonderful summer.
That was so nice of you to check on me, Nancy. I plan on a little update post very soon. Iām doing well and I hope you are too. God bless your weekend!