Category Archives: Thankfulness

Grandchild Enthusiasm

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When I pulled up to Chicago’s Midway Airport arrival curb today, I felt like an excited child arriving at Great America. Orange-vested security police shook their batons in my direction shouting, “Keep moving!” but I ignored them to scan the sidewalk for four familiar faces.

Finally seeing them gave me permission to stop the car and jump out to greet Linnea and family from Florida. I raced up to Skylar and Micah, strapped into a double stroller, anxious to get my hands on my grandbabies. Because I’ve overdone past greetings, I approached with caution. I didn’t want to see a bottom lip come out with that look of “Mommy! Help!”

But all of a sudden, for the first time, Skylar reached for me and squirmed to escape from the stroller. “Grandma Midgee!” she shouted, with her arms up. What a treat it was to lift up my oldest grandchild and get those grandma-hugs and kisses!

Oftentimes little ones need a warm-up period after lengthy separations. After every farewell, Linnea has said, “I think she’ll remember everything next time.” But when you’re not even two yet, several months of separation can amount to half a lifetime. My grandma-thrills have been many in the last 25 months, but today’s recognition was the best.

Although Micah looked at me favorably, I could tell there was no “click”. After all, he’s only seven months. But Skylar and I picked up right where we left off. “Grandma Midgee! We can go to the beach! And wear our babing suits! And where’s Jack? He’s waiting for me at Grandma Midgee’s house! And look at all the busses!”

One of the greatest things about Skylar is that she’s an exclamation-point-child. Everything is spoken at high decibel and with great gusto. When Linnea pleads, “Skylar, not so loud, please…” Skylar responds obediently. “OK, MOMMY!” with an exclamation point!

An old proverb says, “Grandparents and grandchildren are God’s gift to each other.” I know my five grandbabies are indeed gifts beyond measuring, and I do hope they’ll grow up knowing how much I love them. I want to be a grandma who looks into their eyes when they talk and always has time to listen. Tonight Skylar said, “Grandma Midgee! I have a good idea!”

We couldn’t wait to hear it. “ ‘Scuse me!” she said. “I’m moving this chair!” And right after she rammed it into the footboard of my bed, she took a flying leap and landed on the puffy blanket, laughing in exclamation points. Louisa and I laughed too and followed her lead onto the blanket. She was right. It was a good idea!

God could have populated the world by growing children on trees or dropping them through clouds. Instead he sends them to families through generations. Fortunate are the parents who live to be grandparents and even great-grandparents. As Skylar would say, “God had a good idea!”

Today at the airport I was so engrossed in grabbing Skylar I nearly forgot to greet my own daughter. When she finally put her arm around me and sweetly said, “Hi, Mom,” I sheepishly grinned. “Oh honey, yes, I’m glad to see you, too!”

…with an exclamation point!

“Whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.” (Matthew 18:5)

Attitudinal Aptitude

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Blog readers who attended Sunday school as children will remember the old chorus we used to sing (with vigorous hand motions) called “Rolled Away.”

Line two was, “Every burden of my heart rolled away.” Today I managed a roll-away that added to my burden instead. While walking Jack, I rolled my foot off a thick-soled sandal.

Several unlikely circumstances came together, the reason for most accidents. When I felt the zap of a bee sting on my toe, I leaped into the air (ok, lurched) and kicked off my flip-flop, rolling the other foot on my landing. Jack’s retractable leash also went flying and impressed him so much he froze with his eyes fixed on me. The whole picture would have made a laughable video for America’s Funniest.

Depositing Jack at home, I grabbed my list of eight errands and headed out. By the third store, my foot was throbbing, and by the fourth I was hanging onto the upholstery sample rods at Joann’s Fabric Store in an effort to stay upright. Hopping to the car on one foot, I drove home with my ankle propped against the AC vent and had a mental love affair with a bag of ice.

Tonight, after several hours in the deep freeze, the swelling is down, and the color is up. I’m arguing against Louisa’s label of “accident prone” and am fighting the inconvenience of a painful foot.

As I sat this afternoon with my propped pillow and ice bag, I was furious with myself. The high sandals were a cast-off from one of the girls, and I should have left them in the trash where I found them five years ago. Today I only wore them because they matched my skirt, so it was vanity that got me in trouble.

Now I have a chance to double my error by complaining or be a patient patient. I can either adjust my attitude and graciously accept this set-back or resist it and fill the cottage with discontent. As they say, attitude is everything.

Trying my best to think maturely but not getting too far, I was rescued by the Lord and Erika. He brought to mind this eight year old great-niece, who is great indeed, especially on attitude issues. For example, I’ve been self-conscious for years about a gold crown in my mouth, hoping some day to make it white like the other teeth. But when Erika saw it she said, “I see your princess tooth, Marni!” Attitude is everything.

Erika puts me to shame with her upbeat analysis of life. God is pleased with her in that, and he expects the same of me. The fact that my foot has served me well these many years and now is holding me back is no excuse for whining. Gratitude should always be my attitude, no matter what new burdens roll in.

And if I have trouble finding anything good about this, maybe I’ll call Erika.

“Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him… overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6-7)

P.S. It wasn’t even a bee sting, just a broken bit of acorn.

Family Updates, Part II: Grandchildren

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Our family patriarch died of cancer on November 3, 2009. Within six months God had increased our ranks by bringing three new grandchildren to us. Nate and I have five grandbabies altogether, and I believe he knows more about each of them than I have yet learned.

A few years ago, when I was in my early sixties, I’d complained to more than a few friends that I was getting old without any grandchildren. Everyone I knew seemed to be “ahead of me” having the time of their lives with their little ones. Nate encouraged me by saying, “Don’t worry. When they come, it’ll probably be in a litter.” To my great joy, that’s what happened.

Skylar Grace – This sparkly little ball of fire was born in July of 2008, a miracle of God who came to be after doctors insisted a child would be impossible. She banished tears and brought laughter, and calls me Grandma Midgee. Because she’s been an early talker, we now converse over the phone like two regular people rather than an adult to a baby. In September she’s coming from Florida to visit, and I can’t wait!

Nicholas Carl – This little guy, born in January of 2009, already has dual citizenship in both the United States and the United Kingdom. His father took a British bride, and we are all wondering if Nicholas will have an accent like his daddy or his mummy. He arrived with a compliant personality and has been going with the flow ever since, giving his parents no trouble and learning life’s lessons with optimism and a smile.

Micah Nathan – Round as a butterball, Micah came to us three months after Nate died, in February of this year. He bears his grandfather’s name and will hear stories of who this man was, knowing him at least in this way. Watching a lively older sister is Micah’s favorite pastime, although mealtime runs a close second. I was hoping for at least one redhead, and Micah’s head-fuzz is hinting toward that end.

Evelyn Sarah – This little one, the female half of a double surprise blessing, arrived four months ago. The petite one of the pair, she makes few demands and finds security in the presence of her twin brother. They still sleep in the same crib, and when one wakes during the night, the other wakes, too, sharing meal time with mummy as a threesome.

Thomas Nathan – Since the name Thomas means twin, this little guy is aptly named. The fact that he’s a second baby-Nathan is double-joy to me and I hope one day to him. Thomas arrived weighing a pound more than Evelyn and has kept the weight-lead since then, growing tall well ahead of his petite sister. Several of us will be visiting the twins and Nicholas in October, refreshing relationships that span an ocean.

In Scripture, Job experienced losses in every life category including ten family deaths in one day. Ravaged with grief, he turned toward God and said, “The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away.” In our case, although our losses were not as catastrophic as Job’s, we say the same thing, only in reverse: “The Lord has taken away (Nate’s life), and the Lord has given us what we have (three new lives).”

Five little ones in 21 months? Now, that’s a litter! Job’s bottom line is ours, too: “Praise the name of the Lord!”

“ ‘The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!’ In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.” (Job 1:21b-22)