Many months ago I received a very special invitation to attend an exceptionally important event.

The birth of our grandchild!

The invite came with very limited & easy to follow instructions:

• Must be available at a moment’s notice.
• Must Pray.
• Must be in charge of bringing important items to be used during the birthing process.

I was delighted. I was honored. I was humbled.

My unabashed answer was, “YES!”

But then I did secretly wonder, “What will I be doing? Will I be in the way? Will I make someone uncomfortable?”

(I seem to have an uncanny knack for doing this at times, giggles.)

To avoid any potential for disaster I was tickled to find a plethora of intel from other grandparents who had already traversed through this same uncharted territory. Some of the roles they suggested a grandparent will play in the delivery room were: Photographer, Monitor, Relief Coach, Errand Runner, Informational Resource, Record Keeper, Calming Agent.

These all sounded wonderful to me. As well as, virtually stay-out-of-trouble proof!

And so I began the process of packing my Oma bag!

Which all told only consisted of five items being left in my charge.

Any guesses what those items may have been??

1. My new camera. (Good thing I had 9 months to learn how to use it!)
2. My amazingly long phone charger cord.
3. Cuppycake’s Bose wireless speaker. (Tuned to my Pandora Pride & Prejudice station.)
4. A cherished statue of the BVM (which I used as my focal-point during the delivery of each of our children’s births.)
5. And snacks for the dad-to-be. (Well…..maybe I did forget the beef-sticks at home.)

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In the end I did partake in some of the roles mentioned by other grandparents during their own experience; but truthfully -when it came right down to it – the most important role I played was that of being a quiet

Witness.

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A witness to the miracle of life brought into this world through the unifying love of two very special people.

And for that unexpected reason I am so very grateful I said, “Yes.”

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Our beautiful granddaughter – all 8lb 13 precious ounces of her!

“He will love you and bless you and multiply you…”

Deuteronomy 7:13

These past several days as I’ve continued to witness these two young parents navigate together through the newness of parenthood I’ve been struck by one impressive thought

I thought growing old would take longer!

Isn’t that funny how it happens in the blink of an eye?

You blink and they are 8. Then 28. And then they are parents, resembling the you you once were.

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Isn’t life resplendent that way?

hugs & blessings for all the grandiose miracles God allows us to see, as we blink!

extra hugs & blessings to my darling daughter & son-in-law – thank you for allowing me to witness the formation of your very own “party of three.”

Blessing of the Children.

 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked them, but Jesus said, “Let the children come to me, and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” After he placed his hands on them, he went away.

Matthew 19:13-15