After this crazy, chaotic, overstuffed week we had a beautiful Saturday spent with our granddaughter Alexis. She is now 14 months old, a bundle of energy and a consistent source of smiles and joy. She is walking, running, climbing and jabbering in her own little language.
It hardly seems possibly that 14 months have passed since this little cutie entered our lives, much the same thought I have about the 27 years that have passed since the birth of my own first child.
Now, those of you who I've grown up with know that my sole purpose and goal in life was to grow up, get married and be a mom. I could not wait for that time and I fearlessly took on that challenge at the age of 19 when my daughter, Heather Dawn, was born follwed closely by Daniel Allen and Benjamin John. Three of the best things EVER to happen in my life.
Fourteen years later, following the divorce from their father, I remarried a wonderful guy (Tom). Now Tom, bless his heart, had never been married much less been surrounded by the chaos that a houseful of children can bring. This wonderful, painfully quiet, man stepped out of his comfort zone, faced the culture shock and took on the challenges associated with being a stepfather, but had never experienced the joy of babies and toddlers, having not had children himself.
His newest life-changing journey began on January 5, 2010 with the birth of our granddaughter. When we first visited them when they arrived home, he was nervouse as all get out to hold that 8 lb. bundle - the fear showing clearly on his face in those early photos. The changes in him during this past 14 months just make me smile.
Every week, at least once, he asks "Are we getting Alexis this weekend?" and on one recent occasion he even said, "We NEED to get Alexis this weekend." My heart just melted. He was missing her and needed to see her. It's so hard with his sleeping schedule and working nights.
He is a great grandpa. After a blizzard in February he brought in three bowls of snow so she could play in the snow without getting too cold. So all I could do was smile and take pictures of her spreading snow all over the dining room with my proud hubby looking on full of smiles. It was fun to watch. Would I have let my kids do that? Heck no. But that's what grandparents are for - right?
He is not afraid to pick her up if she's crying. He's the good guy who lets her run out the patio door without shoes or a jacket (ugh). He's the impatient, fun guy who wakes up from our nap because it's nice out and she should go outside to play. He's the loving man who brings snow inside the house so she doesn't get cold. Has he changed a diaper? No, but the changes he has undergone more than make up for the fact.
This granny is so proud to be married to this grandpa. The joys of watching him grow into his new role bring almost as much joy as watching the granddaughter growing and changing every day.
Tomorrow is the first day of spring. A season of new life, rain showers, changes and growth. I pray that the good Lord showers his wonderful blessings over us and continues to help us grow into the people we are meant to be.
No comments:
Post a Comment