Little Cars…

Life is full of unexpected turns and twists. Even though it should never surprise me how “my plan” never ends up looking anything like “God’s plan” at times I am still awe struck at how his plan is always the better of the two. Years ago I just assumed that at this point in our lives my husband and I would have been empty nesters several years over. Like I said, God had a better plan.

My husband and I have the privilege of seeing our sweet 4 year old grandson each morning. We see him during the day and we see him every evening and get to kiss him good night. We take turns tucking him into bed. I look forward with eagerness on the nights when it is my turn to be the “tuck in” person. I count it one of my daily blessings to be a witness to those last precious sleepy moments that bring his day to a peaceful close. We always finish the day by saying bed time prayers thanking God for everything a 4 year old can possibly be thankful for. Sometimes we read a story…or two…or three…because he knows Gramma would read him a library of books if he asked. It is his call and I am happy to oblige my little man. We always end the night with a simple song that I sing until he can no longer keep his eyes open.

I lovingly call him my precious little Munchkin.  His real given name means “Gift from God” and he has certainly lived up to that name since he was born. So how is it that I have gotten to spend so much time with my grandson? The answer is that my husband and I have the blessing of having our daughter, her husband and their son live with us at this time. Though some people do not understand our arrangement (not that it matters to my husband or myself) it is in fact a blessing and a privilege to have them under our roof for this season of our lives. When I think of the people I know that rarely or perhaps never get to see their grandchildren, it only reinforces to me that we are blessed to be such a huge part of our grandson’s life. Now I would be lying if I said everyday was a walk in the park. Some days may be best described as a zoo with all the activity from two families living under one roof! But God is gracious beyond measure and gives each of us what we need on the days that the waters seem a little rough. We do not know how long this living arrangement will be this way but if and when the time comes for them to move on I know it will be a very bittersweet day for this Gramma.

After raising our two children my husband and I never thought we would have another little one running around our home. It has truly been an amazing experience to watch our Munchkin grow from an infant, to toddler and now a pre-schooler. It is almost like we are getting to “re -live” those special sweet childhood moments that we sometimes missed raising our own children so many years ago because we were so busy being —well busy. My husband says that our grandson has allowed him to see the world through a child’s eyes once again because everything is an adventure to this little boy who is ever so eager to share his excitement of many “firsts.”

It is an amazing joy to see so many different traits emerge almost daily as our grandson grows into his own personality. I see so much of both his mom and dad in him. I even see characteristics from distant DNA strands of his great grandparents at times in the way he may smile, or laugh, or even his taste for “burnt toast” which was the only way my own dad would eat his! He most certainly has his mommy’s strong spirit of independence as well as her beautiful brown eyes and melt your heart smile. One of the things he has been doing for a while now is showing his need for organization. There is no doubt that this trait comes from his daddy who has to have everything in place.

Just last night as I was about to go upstairs for the night I saw a handful of his little cars neatly lined up by the side of the stairs. Thirty years ago as a mom I would have sighed with perhaps a little frown, collected the cars and put them in a place “out of the way.” Last night as a Gramma I sighed with a big smile and left the cars right where they were—neatly lined up by my grandson—because they were not in anyone’s way! Oh how the years soften the perspective of the little things and yes even the big things. Seeing those little cars was again another sweet reminder that there was an energetic 100% plus bundle of love nestled upstairs in a Chicago Bears bedroom sleeping peacefully because all is well in his tiny world with a family that loves him dearly.

Yes life is full of twists and turns. Sometimes the surprises around the corner are fun and at other times not as pleasant. I have always said it is the goodness of God that does not allow us to know the future. But we all have now…today…this moment. My hope is to live each day to the fullest making it count for good in some way.  I want to savor those “Little Cars” moments because all too soon they become a distant memory. I have found that it truly is the simple moments that bring the greatest joy.

Moments like…

Finding a tiny pair of Spider Man underwear mixed in with my husband’s T-shirts fresh from the laundry…

Reaching into my purse for keys and finding a little toy soldier who has gone MIA…

Pulling out every drawer in the kitchen looking for a certain utensil, only to find it is outside in a certain little sandbox…

The lightening fast patter of small feet heard dashing through the house, indicative of the presence of abundant life and energy being housed under your roof…

Sighing and smiling happily at day’s end to know you did your part to help shape and mold a little life for good…

My prayer for you is the same. In the midst of busy lives filled with children’s activities, jobs, keeping a home, raising a family, volunteer obligations or even a ministry, may you be so blessed to daily find an unexpected little nugget of joy through the lives of those around you. And when you do, tuck it deep into your heart as a reminder of those ever fleeting “Little Cars” moments that comes from the hand of God to make you smile when your day is done.

From my heart to yours,

Rosie <3