I believe in…children

I began this new “I believe in…” project with renewed energy and plans to post several times a week. Can you hear the sighing in the back-ground? That’s me laying another guilt trip on myself.

Can you also hear the laughter, giggles, cries and sweet new words? They’re the reason that I’m not posting regularly.

Hubby and I retired just in time to delve into Grammy and Papa duty in a big way. We had our own five children within eight years. We now have six grand-children under the age of six. With summer here, we’re spending more time than usual with our grand-kiddies – helping out parents with summer child care as well as family visits here at the lake. And, we’re loving it.

Parenting is an often messy mix of joys and struggles, successes and challenges. As grand-parents, memories of raising babies and children flood back and are re-lived. Holding a wee one as they drift to sleep. Pudgy arms wrapped around your neck. The look of recognition in a babe’s eyes when you enter the room. The first words of a toddler. The first time they call YOU by name! The wonder of a pre-schooler’s thirst for knowledge.

Having children in your life is one sacramental moment after another – a feeling of deep love that hints at the divine love of our creator.

Bringing that first babe home is also the biggest culture shock of your life as you face the reality of 24-7 care. Personal plans change. Social lives transform from wild fun times with friends, to juggling wild children while squeezing in fun with friends. Eight hours of uninterrupted sleep becomes life’s biggest goal. Heck, I used to pray for four!

Our hearts are filled with empathy for the daily challenges faced by the young parents in our lives. We understand. We were there.

When they are faced with more serious challenges, our hearts break with them. We feel their worries and fears. We share the sleepless nights. We offer support and help however we can. We pray always.

Our retirement was not planned, but it was timely. We are able to give our children and grand-children the gift of our love and our presence. We are blessed in return. Abundantly! We are honoured to have these wonderful young souls and their parents in our lives.

So, I will write when I can…and feel no guilt if I don’t. If I’m not blogging, I’m probably busy playing. Not a bad gig, if you can get it! 🙂