“A father holds his child’s hand for a short time, but a daddy holds their heart forever.”

“Grandchildren are like a crown to the elderly, and the glory of children is their parents.”  Proverbs

On Monday of this past week my day began by holding my newest granddaughter.  Like me she woke up early.  Having been fed her mom handed her off to me and went back to bed.  For a short while she looked around her in that baby way, as if trying to figure out the mysterious place she had been thrust into, and the strange face that was looking back at her.  Then she closed her eyes and went back to sleep, and I gently cradled her, holding her small frame in my arms and feeling my heart expand to three times the normal size. It was a time of quiet love, a sacred time spent in intimate communion with the divine.  As I sat looking at her sweet, angelic face I was completely caught up in the moment.  It prompted memories of holding my own children, and remembering moments that I’d had with my four daughters whom I’d held so many years ago.

There was the moment each of them was born, which I can still see vividly.  The birth of your own child is a reminder that in some insignificant way you’ve assisted God with a miracle.  It is an occasion of grace that one never forgets.

There was the moment that they started to talk, “mama, papa”, and to walk.  Amazing that such tiny feet can support their far-too-large bodies!

There was the moment they left for their first day of school, and the moment so many years later that they graduated.  It was a time filled with happiness for them, and more than a bit of sorrow for me, as they were now embarking on their own life, which no longer required my constant care.

There were many moments of reading them bedtime stories and singing lullabies.  Yes, there were times when I was so tired I simply wanted to get them tucked in so that I could also go to sleep, but even so those moments were special, knowing that I was listening to their prayers—and so was their heavenly Father.

There were so many moments when they shed tears, be it from scraped knees or disappointment from not getting the gift they most wanted, or, when they got older, from the boy who broke their heart.  Those moments, painful though they were, gave way to sweet moments of holding and comforting them in a way so different from when they were little—and yet in many ways just the same.  

There were the moments of pride that only a parent can experience when seeing one’s children bring home a good report card, dance or sing in their first recital, or be selected for the sports team or receive a school honor.  My daughters have each done well in their lives, and given me much to be proud of, but even if they hadn’t I would love them just the same.

There were many adventurous moments taking family vacations and living in other lands. I can only hope that those times spent together opened wide the window of opportunities in their lives, and helped them to appreciate what a wonderful world we live in.

There were many shared moments of both joy and sorrow, and many more moments when I wasn’t with them, but was thinking about and praying for them.

As I sat holding my new granddaughter watching the dawn break upon a new day, I prayed for her parents, that they also would have many marvelous moments.   And then I prayed a prayer of thanks for all the moments I’ve had with my children, and that God would graciously grant me many more moments this side of eternity to spend both with my grown children and my grandchildren.

“A Prayer for My Children”

I pray . . .

– that I might give you a wonderful childhood, filled with rich experiences and sweet memories.

– that I may provide you with what matters most in life, food and shelter, safety and security, love and laughter.

– that I might provide inspiration and encouragement to help you pursue all your dreams and achieve at least some of them.

– that you will forgive me for the ways I fail you and fall short of your expectations.

– that I will mirror, albeit imperfectly, God’s love.

– that you will always be able to count on me for good advice and a warm embrace.

– that no matter how far apart we may one day be, we will always be connected in our bond of love.

– that you know that I am always here for you, a shelter for you in life’s storms, and a co-celebrant in life’s joys.

– that you always know in the depths of your heart how much I love you.

– that even after I’m gone, you will know that I am never far away.