As life’s best moments go, the arrival of a baby has to be number one. A brand new life, arriving on the earth with a behavioral clean slate and unending possibilities, is an encouragement to us all.
Today it was my privilege to get acquainted with Thomas Nathan and Evelyn Sarah, both only three weeks old. They’re so new I have to think twice before addressing them, since their names were unknown to us just a short time ago. They are both “wonderfully made,” as the Bible describes babies, and we’ve all been twice blessed being given twins when a single birth was expected.
I also had fun getting reacquainted with Nicholas today, 16 months old and still a baby himself. As with most one year olds, his greatest joy is mimicking the adults in his world. The words “Would you like to help?” are his dream come true. He helped me hang the wash out to dry, managing to painfully snap a clothespin on his finger but not letting it discourage him. And that’s what’s so special about toddlers like Nicholas. They refuse to give up and are champions at persevering in their efforts to learn.
Today I also marveled at my own son’s active involvement as a father and my daughter-in-law’s ability to manage three young children and a new home while still recuperating from a double, natural childbirth. Though exhausted, Katy and Hans remain enthusiastic about the task at hand and continue to count their children as supreme blessings from God.
Tonight, after the three little people had been bathed and put to bed, we sat with our mugs of tea and enjoyed quiet conversation in the living room. In talking of children, we grieved over the losses caused by abortion and the unnumbered couples who long to adopt, but can’t do so because there are no babies available. In the middle of our chat, we heard from little Evelyn upstairs. “Let me go,” said Hans, who ran up and quickly reappeared with his newborn daughter in his arms. “She just wants a little cuddle,” he said.
Soon she was fast asleep again and put back to bed. As we continued to talk, moving to the mysterious topic of when human life actually begins and what God’s involvement is, we heard from Nicholas. “Let me,” Katy said, and disappeared up the steps. When she returned to our little circle her report was, “He just needed a cuddle.”
As we were just beginning to talk of embryonic research, we heard from Thomas. “I’ll go,” Hans said, bounding back upstairs again. When he returned, he had his baby boy on his shoulder saying, “He wants a little cuddle with papa.”
And so goes the life of young parents with three children under two years old. It wore me out just watching, and I get to sleep through the night! But in the midst of it all, the message came through loud and clear: all life is precious, and once in a while everybody needs a cuddle.
“[Parents] were bringing even infants to [Jesus] that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, ‘Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God’.” (Luke 18:15-16)
The picture is ADORABLE. I wish we could be there with you! Give them some kisses and cuddles from Auntie Weez!
Great to know you arrived safely. Thomas and Evelyn have grown so in 3 weeks. Enjoy your time with them. It was exciting to get your blog early with the time change:)
Beautiful photo, beautiful post. I wish so much we were there with you! Give Hans and Katy a cuddle for us. 🙂
Beautiful babies! Don’t forget the smoochies from Auntie Carole!
Hi Margaret,
Glad you arrived safely. Adorable twins and young Nicholas already looks so grown up between them. I know time in England is bitter sweet as you are enjoying these new young lives and their parents without Nate. “Lord, raise up Margaret when she is bowed down. When her spirit is overwhelmed within her, You know her path. Be her refuge and portion in the land of the living. Amen.”
Love,
Terry
Lord, I praise You because we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Enjoy the days in England with your family, Margaret. God is awesome!
All I can say is praise God from whom all blessings flow…and no bounding up the stairs for grandma!
Margaret, thanks for the adorable picture.:) I have looked forward to it! I SO relate – I, too, need cuddles.:) I pray your time there will be sweet and that your heart will be comforted. Love to all, Sue
Enjoy every precious moment! Just adorable 🙂
Have fun in England and get to know your grandkids more =)..
What a precious picture! What a precious family! I am sooo thankful you are able to be there with them and I must admit— I am very much looking forward to the day when I too can “have a little cuddle” with our little one. Have a wonderful trip!
Cuddle your heart out! There’s never enough time for that. My grandmunchkins are at the ages (2 1/2 yrs & 17 months) where they want to be out and about so there isn’t as much for a chance for a cuddle as there once was. And you are in England! Enjoy!!!
OOOOHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! 🙂
Delighted you arrived safely, Midge. I believe Hans and Katy are as blessed to have you there as you are to be there. Cuddle, cuddle, cuddle!!! Blessings to all of you…..so adorable !!!
Such a sweet picture! Thanks for sharing Margaret. Enjoy your stay in England.
So glad you made it to England safely. What joy and delight….you must be in baby heaven! Precious moments as you cuddle your beautiful grandbabies and hold them close to your heart. Your heart must be bursting with pride as you watch Hans and Katie cope with the stresses and exhaustion of caring for their little family. Enjoy. XO
That is one of the cutest baby pictures I have ever seen. Those babies (all 3) are ADORABLE. What a blessing! Enjoy your time with them!
Many Blessings and Many Cuddles to all!
We are just home from visiting our grand daughters in Scotland–3 and 1/2 “Nana”, and 6 without her two front teeth. It seems so long ago that they were 16 months and newborns–how beautiful Thomas Nathan, Evelyn and Nicholas are. You are blessed Margaret. I know you will have a wonderful time. The grandma quiver is just getting started huh. How I wish Nate was there to share it with you–well, he just could be enjoying the moments there with you we just don’t know how it all works up there do we. At least I would like to think so.