A Love Too Big for Words

The 5-year old boy waiting for his dad at the dental office where I work dragged a chair across the reception room. He wanted an eye-to-eye chat with me at the reception counter.

“Do you know where I’m going?” he asked.

“I heard you’re going to Hawaii on vacation,” I said. His dad had called to have a tooth looked at before their departure that evening.

“Yep,” the little guy continued. “Do you know where I’m staying tonight? It’s better than a hotel!”

“Where’s that?” I felt a flutter of excitement as I anticipated his answer.

“We’re staying at Grandpa and Grandma’s!” He practically shouted.

“Wow!” I said. “That sounds like lots of fun.”

As a grandparent-to-be, I was delighted with our conversation. I could only imagine a day when our little granddaughter would be equally excited about going to her grandpa and grandma’s house.

Almost eight months ago, I officially joined the ranks of being a grandparent. Lucy Grace arrived on June 6 and our lives are forever changed. I’ll never forget my first glimpse of this precious baby girl. She looked so new and fresh, with her eyes still closed, a miniature combination of her mom’s and dad’s features. Absolutely beautiful and miraculous!

I remember the joy I felt when our two sons were born, but being a grandparent is beyond what I could have imagined. I found a newborn greeting card that really said it well…it’s a love already too big for words!

In the days following Lucy’s birth, I thought about how blessed this child is having parents who anticipated her even before she was conceived. She has two loving sets of grandparents who already adore her, several doting uncles and one aunt. Not to mention great grandparents, great aunts, great uncles, and a few “great” pets. Lucy is so loved.

If only all children born into this world could experience this kind of welcome. It has to make a difference. Children, even tiny infants, must sense that they are loved.

For Lucy, it’s only the beginning. I look forward to her growing and changing and reaching out to all of these family members. Being able to encourage and support her in becoming the beautiful woman God has created her to be, is an awesome privilege. I might just have a little more understanding of why we are called GRAND parents.

I’d love to hear about your experiences–either as new parents or grandparents!