Today I’m trading posts with Peggy Frezon, the author of Pawprints on my Heart. So be sure to look for my guest post on Pawprints today! Here's Peggy's guest post on becoming a grandmother, welcoming a new Grace in her family:
Families grow and families change. Eighteen days ago, in one miraculous moment, I became a grandmother. And I am changed.
I met little Grace Katherine when she was minutes old, all swaddled in her soft pink blanket, a little knit cap covering her wisps of red hair. I nestled her under my chin, her warmth against my skin. God’s little miracle. How could it be that my little girl had a baby?
As I counted Grace’s tiny fingers and toes, I thought about the joy that awaited my daughter and son-in-law. And the worry.
“Mom, would you like to stay with us for a few days when we bring Grace home?” Kate asked. How fast do you think I packed my suitcase?
When we arrived at their house, I recalled the bewilderment I’d felt the day my husband and I brought home baby Katie. Holding the tiny, helpless infant, my overriding thought was, “NOW what do we do?”
Kate and Aaron, however, seemed much more relaxed. They removed the infant carrier from the car seat base. While I was thinking, should she be out in the cold? Does she need another blanket? What about mittens? they were casually greeting neighbors.
Later, as I cradled Grace in my arms, I thought again how helpless and utterly dependent she was. She can’t even hold up her little head, I thought, as I supported her tiny neck. I touched her cherub cheeks, her delicate features, blessed to be a part of nurturing this new little life.
That night we all went upstairs to the nursery and tucked little Grace into her cozy pajamas. Aaron held her in the glider chair. Babies can only see about eight to twelve inches in front of them, which not coincidentally, is approximately the distance to their parent’s face when being held. God’s miraculous design.
They read her Goodnight Moon. I smiled–we’d also read to my kids when they were newborns, and that book had been a favorite. Although the baby couldn’t yet understand the words, she could feel the rhythm of being rocked, the tone of their voice, the warmth of their touch.
Then, Aaron selected a thicker volume. 365 Bedtime Bible Stories. As the familiar Bible story spilled out in simple words and brief sentences, Grace fell asleep. That’s when I understood why Kate and Aaron are such relaxed parents. Their comfort stems from their faith.
They seem so calm, because they trust in God’s miraculous design. A plan we can all count on. Thinking of that, even I can become a more relaxed grandmother.
Aaron sets down the book, and Kate lowers Grace in the crib. I kiss little Grace goodnight. Her vision may still be fuzzy but her focus is being developed right where it belongs.
