Thursday, July 17, 2014

My dear God,

A day with grandchildren, discovering the world through their eyes, brings such joy to my heart.  The relationship alone even without the various activities we share is an incalculable gift.

This is the third home I have stayed in since arriving back in Indiana.  Experiencing life from my three daughters' homes provides a unique perspective that is very meaningful to me.  I see how they love their children, how their honor their spouses, and how they make family.

As I come and go saying hello and goodbye in three days, I try to live fully in each of their family settings.  I have played cards, visited a zoo, played in a water park, putt putted golf, made growling sounds and laughed like crazy, and slept in sleeping bags.  I have eaten at their favorite places, watched their favorite movies, and snuggled with their four dogs.

Growing older causes me to look deeply at life experiences.  I am no longer interested in living a shallow life. Why live on the surface when rich treasures lie in the deep recesses?  I look at my children and grandchildren and I celebrate the gift they all are, every one of them.

You give us gifts
and blessings,
O Lord,
and invite us
to cherish
what we have.
You ask us
to invest ourselves
in each other
allowing your spirit
to work
within us.
As I live
the blessing
with my
beloved family,
I recognize
more and more
how valuable
they are
to me.
I am grateful
to you
for them.

Always, Andrea