Sunday, December 12, 2010

Dearest God,

One by one they came, quiet little visitors just awakening from sleep. The first appeared at 6:30 a.m. in our new study as the snow gently fell outside and I was writing my letter to you. I stopped what I was doing and turned toward her as she crawled up on my lap. As always I hugged her tight until she was ready to talk and start the new day. "Grandma, can we play a game?" She asked. So we sat down on the floor by the lighted Christmas tree and played one of her favorite card games Go Fish. Before long another arrived sleepy eyed, walked around the coffee table laden with the creche and figures of the nativity, and squeezed in beside me. I put my arm around him, pulled him close, dealt him some cards and the three of us played by the light of the tree. Within minutes five of us were playing Old Maid as the candle flickered giving off the earthy fragrance of balsam and cedar.

The moment to sit close with each grandchild gave me the opportunity to breathe a prayer of thanksgiving for each one: Sophie, Jack, Gracie, Stella, Lucy and Gabrielle. How blessed I felt later as we finally got up, I made breakfast and we held hands by candlelight as I prayed aloud for the generous gift you gave me with my beloved grandchildren.

God So Full of Joy,
you have
graciously filled
my well
with your
divine joy.
Your joy
in turn
fills me
with more love
for you.
May I
never forget
your generosity.

Love, Andrea