KarenSue
03-15-2007, 03:02 PM
You know the old expression of “entering your second childhood”. Recently we have had a boost in that direction.
After having an empty nest for several years, our son and grandson have come to live with us for a while. It has not been so easy to give up our freedom and relatively clean nest. Toys and clutter are scattered throughout the house. Part of our son’s legacy to his son is a large storage tub full of Lego’s. We, again, have to watch where we step. They are hard on bare feet. “Papa” has rediscovered the delight of these versatile toys as he sits in the middle of the living room floor building the his grandson. No more sleeping in - there is a little person at my bedside at 6:30 a.m. wanting to snuggle under the blankets with me. A few days ago as we cuddled, I was told that I was the “bestest Nana ever”.
Nevertheless, my eyes are being opened to the privilege and joy that has been offered us. Not only are we able to help our son through a difficult time, but the door has been opened for us to get to know our grandson in ways that otherwise would not have been possible.
It is unique how the world around comes alive through the eyes of a child. There is a family of rabbits that roams the neighborhood. I am sure Mother Rabbit is annoyed by a little boy chasing her babies - not that they are in any danger of being caught. Squirrels chase each other up and down the trees. Hummingbirds visit our feeders each day. The hill behind our house is a wonderful runway for airplanes. It is also a fun place to play “David and Goliath”, (Nana is Goliath).
My greatest re-discovery this summer has been lightning bugs. When they first began to make their appearance in the early evening dusk, he was enchanted. “Nana” had to quickly improvise bughouses. It has renewed my childhood joy of catching them. We work to see who can get the most. They are released the next morning.
Then it is time for “ring-around-the-tub”. We now have boats, ducks, sharks, and whatever else needs a bath, besides a boy, in our bathroom. What is water on the floor, wet towels and rugs, compared to tucking a warm sweet smelling little guy into bed? And then the awesome responsibility of teaching a child to say his first night-time prayers.
What joy to get a wet kiss as he drifts off to dream of baby rabbits and lights in the sky.
I have discovered one very special “perk” of getting older - the joy of being a grandparent.
“Children's children are a crown to the aged, . . . “ Proverbs 17:6 (NIV)
We, as parents and grandparents, love our precious little ones. How much more does our Heavenly Father love them?
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14 (NIV)
After having an empty nest for several years, our son and grandson have come to live with us for a while. It has not been so easy to give up our freedom and relatively clean nest. Toys and clutter are scattered throughout the house. Part of our son’s legacy to his son is a large storage tub full of Lego’s. We, again, have to watch where we step. They are hard on bare feet. “Papa” has rediscovered the delight of these versatile toys as he sits in the middle of the living room floor building the his grandson. No more sleeping in - there is a little person at my bedside at 6:30 a.m. wanting to snuggle under the blankets with me. A few days ago as we cuddled, I was told that I was the “bestest Nana ever”.
Nevertheless, my eyes are being opened to the privilege and joy that has been offered us. Not only are we able to help our son through a difficult time, but the door has been opened for us to get to know our grandson in ways that otherwise would not have been possible.
It is unique how the world around comes alive through the eyes of a child. There is a family of rabbits that roams the neighborhood. I am sure Mother Rabbit is annoyed by a little boy chasing her babies - not that they are in any danger of being caught. Squirrels chase each other up and down the trees. Hummingbirds visit our feeders each day. The hill behind our house is a wonderful runway for airplanes. It is also a fun place to play “David and Goliath”, (Nana is Goliath).
My greatest re-discovery this summer has been lightning bugs. When they first began to make their appearance in the early evening dusk, he was enchanted. “Nana” had to quickly improvise bughouses. It has renewed my childhood joy of catching them. We work to see who can get the most. They are released the next morning.
Then it is time for “ring-around-the-tub”. We now have boats, ducks, sharks, and whatever else needs a bath, besides a boy, in our bathroom. What is water on the floor, wet towels and rugs, compared to tucking a warm sweet smelling little guy into bed? And then the awesome responsibility of teaching a child to say his first night-time prayers.
What joy to get a wet kiss as he drifts off to dream of baby rabbits and lights in the sky.
I have discovered one very special “perk” of getting older - the joy of being a grandparent.
“Children's children are a crown to the aged, . . . “ Proverbs 17:6 (NIV)
We, as parents and grandparents, love our precious little ones. How much more does our Heavenly Father love them?
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14 (NIV)