On being a grandma - If you are a grandma, I really don't need to say much except...isn't it the best?
Of course, God is not going to let me off that easy. He is ever the master orchestrator and giver of good gifts.
I shared with you last week that our girls were adopted at four and five. What I didn't mention is that we adopted after seven years of marriage, one ectopic pregnancy, a couple of miscarriages and numerous infertility treatments.
After the last miscarriage, emotionally I couldn't handle continuing to try to achieve a successful pregnancy, so we decided to pursue adoption. Two long years later, we were blessed with our girls. I knew from the time we saw them that they were meant to be ours. It sounds silly now but one was fair haired, with light eyes like my husband and one was darker complected, with dark curls like me and to my 28 year old mind that was my fleece blanket...my sign from God.
Fast forward 18 years...my husband's mother (who was second only to my own mother in mentoring me) had just died. In fact on the very weekend of her funeral, my youngest found out she was pregnant. Seven months later our first grandchild was born. He and his mommy came home from the hospital to live with us and our hearts were changed forever. Seven short months later our little miss Emily was born to my daughter and son in law.
God has given us, through these beautiful babies, a glimpse of the first few years of our children's lives that we didn't get to be a part of. Having one grandchild living with us and the other not too far way, we have had the joy of first teeth, the first rollover, the first crawl, the first steps, the first words and even the first temper tantrum. It is a daunting task to be given the opportunity to influence another generation and I know that it is no coincidence that all of these firsts have been redeemed for us by a God who knew we desired to experience these things.
I know God's first choice would have been for us all to bare and have been born into loving families but given this fallen world, he took what would have been ashes and turned them into gold.
Faithfully His, Patty
Beautiful post Patty! What a blessing to be a grandma...God is so good!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Cindy
Lovely post and you are truly blessed.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Susan and Bentley
From one grandma to another, you shared it all beautifully. I love how God works out His perfect plan for us, and the blessings that come with that plan. Your little ones are fortunate to be given someone like you to love them.
ReplyDeleteOkay I am in tears now. Your story is so touching. Painful but fulfilling and you write it so beautifully. Life is so full of letting go and letting God isn't it. I am finding that more and more as my daughters move into adulthood. Love your photos too.
ReplyDeleteLove your transparency in sharing the beautiful handiwork of God in your lives. Precious Precious pictures my sweet SIL. Love you...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, and being a recent first time grandparent, I agree 100%, it's the best!
ReplyDeleteLovely post! Being a grandma is absolutely the best thing in the world! ~Hugs, Leah
ReplyDeleteOh Patty, i've come to look forward to these posts on friday, what a blessed couple you are, what beautiful grandchildren, God is good all the time
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend Karem x
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ReplyDeleteI usually don't comment, but what a beautiful post! And, oh so true! I have tears in my eyes right now. God is so good! He blessed me eight years ago with a beautiful granddaughter! God does have a perfect plan for all of us, and thank you for reminding me of that!
ReplyDeleteWhat an uplifting post, Patty. Especially for anyone who has or is considering adopting. Makes me think of a bible verse about grandchildren being our crowning glory. Hope I'm not misquoting...
ReplyDeleteYou have been blessed with two beautiful little ones and I think you are right about God giving you the chance to experience the things you missed with your two girls.
I am blessed daily by my grandkids and must remember to thank God more often for these blessings he has given me.
Thanks for the reminder.
I love Faith Walk Friday.
I followed a link to your blog from cozy little cottage.
ReplyDeleteMy story is similar to yours. After countless fertility treatments and heartache-we adopted a beautiful 5 month old girl from South Korea. She's now 25 and engaged to be married and I can't WAIT to be a grandma!!
Your grandbabies are darling!
This was especially sweet. I love how he turns something that may first appear as ashes into beauty!
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your beutifull family.You grandchildren are amazing.They look so happy!
ReplyDeleteAdoption is in my mind too...but in our country is imposible to do it...I wish it were possible for us too!
You gave me a big smile today thank you...
Thank you for your beautiful post Patty! Children are such a blessing from God whether by birth or adoption!! He decides which way we are going to receive our children, and we know that His ways are the best! Beautiful photos of the pumpkins as well!! Gorgeous!! xo Jina
ReplyDeleteThat is just beautiful!!!! Our middle daughter and her son, Noah, 4 have lived here, but are now moving this coming weekend. It has been such a blessing in so many ways. Our oldest daughter has two beautiful girls, and we are so blessed to have all of them in our every day lives!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post. My oldest brother and his wife were not able to have children either. They have 5 beautiful adopted children. 4 of them were older children and 1 was a baby when they were adopted. All 5 of them are grown now and have children of their own. I love to see my brother's family; they are beautiful family.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely Gold Patty. Your grandchildren are just beautiful and you are so..blessed to live close enough to experience all the joys of watching them grow.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely weekend my friend!
Wonderful testimony. I too have a similar story. God does turn things for good. Blessings,
ReplyDeleteThat was beautiful! God really does give us the desires of our heart! Enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeletejust lovely, and I agree...being a grandma is the best!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are such an inspirational writer . . .
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