Those little moments that are so very big <3

I saw a FB video this week. It was obviously a grandma type like me with a candle laden cake and you could see little hands pushing the plate toward her as her family was singing. But the words typed over the video said something about being nice to your mom because this was her first time living too. 

I am not saying our kids need to be nice to me. They are nice to me and I am very blessed by the love and grace shown to me by our three offspring. 

But the message hit home with ME. Because I have to say that I have not been seeing my life from that perspective. I think you reach a certain age and have enough experiences and such that you think you should know how to deal with the next season. 

But it’s my first rodeo every single day for that day’s curve balls and flex opportunities and growth. And I need to extend myself a little grace when change causes me to pause and have to recalculate. 

Take for instance this new season of grand parenting. 

Thanks to the “memory” feature on my phone and computer, along with the thousands of pictures I can’t bring myself to delete, I am daily reminded of Grand Parenting Past. I see me looking quite a bit younger being hugged enthusiastically, up to my elbows in craft or cooking projects or at the park, zoo, children’s museum or reindeer ranch. 

And I loved it. 

I loved every crazy second of it. I loved reading to them at nap time and my arm going to sleep under their sweaty heads and then just laying there with them marveling at how beautiful they were.

 I loved the adventures traipsing around after them and the simple joy of picking up an ice cream and taking it to some picnic table. I loved the “race” to the end of the street when we left and the endless waves and kisses blowing until we finally had to turn the corner and leave. 

Grand Parenting Future is scary as I mentally tick off the years I will be when they are graduating, heading to college, getting married. And it is rapid fire approaching because right now we have Grand Parenting Present…and that includes a boy on the cusp of being a teen who is embracing it with all he has in him. 

I watch his parents navigate what were to me the most difficult days of parenting and it has enhanced my prayer life greatly. I marvel that a grandma can still get away with public hugging but I also feel the turbulence of moods and the pain of separation as he rightfully moves into a world where friends and sports and social interaction with kids his own age is gaining ground on just hanging with his grandma. 

Oh for grace and wisdom to connect in this new season in ways that are appropriate. Prayers for words that speak life while also just listening without reacting to everything. A cry for these days to be rich with new adventures and gratitude for the band width to see him becoming a young man while still treasuring in my heart the little boy. 

Last night Russ and I traveled to watch him play basketball for an away game. Mom was home running car pools for two other athletes and Dad was was working. We decided we would just plan to stay and watch the 8th grade game so he had family there if family was needed. He had a ride back to his home after the game, but we love to watch the kids play and it was the best use of our time. 

I assumed he would sit with friends, but instead he came and took a spot on the bleacher in front of us. Right in front of me, to be exact. And he leaned back most of the game and used my knees as his recliner. 

A sweet gift from God to his Lola, for sure. Just what I needed and didn’t even know I did, until I felt that little sweaty back lean on me for the game. I will treasure that as I have every other moment I have gotten to spend in his and his siblings’ lives. 

I don’t know what season you are in, but I pray for just this kind of tender mercy on your day. I pray for just what you need, even if you didn’t know you needed it. 

God is good and kind and faithful in all seasons. 

Blessed be His Name.