OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES

I spent Thanksgiving day in Topeka with Pauls and Jonathans families. We had a great dinner and visit including an internet conference call with Deb, Angelas family and James during which we (the kids) blew out the candles on the shared birthday cake. It was an up day.
But Friday was not, for me at least, as I came down with a flu bug and was really sick. Thankfully it was a one day thing and I felt better and was able to come home on Saturday although very tired. Friday night was a restless sleep and Saturday morning I was slow in waking up. I could hear them in the dining room shushing the little ones to not make a lot of noise and wake up Grandma. I was barely aware when someone would peek around the corner to see how I was doing. Then I felt a small hand pat me on the hip where I was lying on the davenport and opened my eyes to see Isaacs concerned little face peering into mine. When he saw my eyes open he said, "Grandma, the sun is coming up again!" What profound words of wisdom from the lips of this sweet little boy and how much this Grandmas heart needed to hear them! For the last two months I had been feeling very down, sad and lonely and dreading the holidays without David beside me. Those seven simple words are going on a card on my fridge next to Davids picture.
YES, GRANDMA , THE SUN IS COMING UP AGAIN!

HOW DO YOU COMFORT YOUR CHILD?

When your child is born and you first hold it in your arms the overwhelming sense of wonder and love that fills your heart makes you wants to do anything you can to comfort and protect that child. Most times a hug, a kiss, sometimes a bandage, an assurance that they are loved by you and by God are sufficient. But as they grow the hurts and dissappointments they face grow with them and you can't do much except add a lot of prayer to the "mother" treatment, and support them in any way you can. And when they are fully grown and off on their own and they suffer the worst hurt and sorrow a parent can face, the loss of a child through no fault of their own, the only comfort you can give them is the same--hugs and kisses and the assurance that they are loved by you and by their God, but it seems so little compared to their hurt. At the same time you feel as though your own heart is bursting with the pain of this loss on top of everything else. This tiny baby boy who has been so anticipated will never be held in your arms. Okay, Grandpa, this one you get to hold first!
(Written earlier but not posted.)