Friday, November 28, 2008

Dearest God,

Four little girls, ages 3, 4, 7, and 8 lay sound asleep in their sleeping bags on my uncommon room floor (most people call it a living room) as the Christmas video credits scrolled. Wearing Grandma's Christmas jammies and socks and worn out from a great day with cousins, a floor picnic, goodies, and prayers, they fell into slumber with no worries. They know the peace of God as they rest.

Although I felt a weariness in my bones, I made two forts (using most of the blankets and all the sleeping bags in the uncommon room) one for the little ones and one for the older ones. We had a frosty the snowman breakfast, the light shining from two little ceramic frosties. We learned manners, put a napkin on your lap, ask for food to be passed, say please and thank you, eat with your fork, not your hands. We prayed two prayers. I prayed the first not realizing that Stella had wanted to pray. Through tears and a hug, she sang her prayers learned at Preschool.

In the early afternoon still in our jammies, Gabrielle read a story from my new book while the others listened. They were interested because they were in the story. I told them a storybook will last a very long time even after the author dies. I told them I would probably only live to be 100 and Sophie said I would live to be 1,000 years old. What sweetness arises from the mouths of grandchildren.

This day after Thanksgiving I was still celebrating the gift of these precious ones. They bring such great joy to my life. Their comments, smiles and hugs, their "I love you, Grandma" remind me to model love, to be an example of what you would like them to be. I often fail and yet, they bring grace, modeling for me. God in little clothing.

How swiftly
time passes
as I gaze upon
these precious grandchildren.
One day
they are born
and the next
they are
seven or eight.
How can
I keep
these innocents safe
from evil
in the world?
Precious God,
I bring
these treasures
to you,
asking for
wisdom and discernment
as they walk
each day.
May your light
forever shine
in their darkness
teaching them
of you
and your ways.
This is
my prayer
for my beloved ones.

Love, Grandma with the Curly Hair, Grandma Andrea