The Blessing of Grandchildren

It was early on a Saturday evening in early July of 2018 that  we received a phone call from our youngest son.  He informed us that his sweet wife had been in labor for childbirth for a few hours and that we should start preparing to leave for the DFW Metroplex where the child was to be born.  We left about 9:30 pm and arrived at the hospital about 3:00 am.  We had been informed just prior to our arrival that they may be sent home because our daughter-in-law was dilated only 3 cm.  For the uninitiated full dilation is 10 cm.  We left the hospital to go to the home of friends of our son who graciously opened their home to us.  We got settled and after an hour of very restless sleep, our son texted us around 5:00 am saying they were on the way back to the hospital.  Her water had broken and they were in a rush to get back to the hospital.  Maevyn Mari Ella arrived at 6:35 to surprised parents, grandparents and friends.  Everyone thought by the sonogram pictures that the child was a boy.  They did not want to know until the birth, a rare occurrence in this day and age.  I must confess I felt a tinge of disappointment at the announcement of a girl.  However all of that went away when I took my granddaughter into my arms and looked on her sweet, sweet face.  What a blessing to have another healthy grandchild (number 4) and to see the joy in the faces of our son and daughter-in-law.  This is grandchild number 1 for our son’s in-laws.  It was a joy to see their excitement in welcoming a new member to their family.

That was nearly two years ago, and now we anticipate the arrival of Maevyn’s little sister (they decided they wanted to know gender as soon as possible this time).  Maevyn is quite the charmer.  They FaceTime with us several times a week.  It just fills me up when my wife answers her phone and immediately she is calling for Pops to appear on the phone.  I am beyond blessed to have 4 grandchildren who are always eager and happy to see us and to have sons and daughters-in-law who grant us ready access to them.  I have known so many where there is a breakdown in that system, sometimes justified, but many times not.

We have friends who have been denied access to their grandchildren due to petty issues and insecurities of one generation and/or the other.  It breaks my heart to see these things because so many are robbed of the blessing of a relationship with grandchildren because of jealous, insecure children or in-laws.  Worse yet are those who rob themselves because they are too absorbed in their own lives and issues to spend time with their grandchildren.

Speaking only for myself and my wife, our lives have been inalterably changed and enriched by becoming grandparents.  We are able to pour ourselves into them as an enrichment to what their parents provide for them.  The strength of families is found in the support of multiple generations who love, share, help, and support one another.  Grandchildren can play an immensely important role in creating that strength.