Walking the beach alone wasn’t how I wanted to spend that Saturday. I worked hard all week, and I looked forward to the weekends with my family. Unfortunately my grown kids didn’t always want to sit at home with me. I’d hoped by this time in my life I’d have grandkids to visit, but it wasn’t to be.
I strolled slowly up and down, digging my toes into the wet sand. The smell of the salty air and the roar of the surf soothed me. What a delight it would be to have a little companion on my beach visits. I just have to be patient, I told myself. I’ll have grandchildren if and when it’s meant to be.
I sat down on a sand dune. As I stared at the sea I suddenly felt blessed to have the healthy family I did have. Two sons, 16 and 22, and a daughter, 14, and my oldest son, Mike, who’d been married three years.
I got up to continue my walk, but I only made it 20 yards before I stopped in my tracks. Someone had written the word “grandma” in the sand. It felt like a sign. When I got home Mike called. He usually called once a week to check in. It was always good to hear his voice.
“Hi, Mom!” he said cheerfully.
I couldn’t resist asking. “Do you have any news to share?” I said, remembering the writing in the sand.
“No, Mom,” he said, laughing. “No babies. You’ll be the first to know. I promise.” Mike and his wife were good-natured about my prodding.
Oh, well, I thought. I guess the sign was meant for someone else. Some lucky lady, that was for sure. “You’re all I need to be happy,” I said. It was true.
“Thanks, Mom,” he said. “We’ll see you later in the week.”
We were all getting together to celebrate my middle son Mark’s birthday. By the time he blew out the candles on his cake, I was so caught up in celebrating the family I already had I’d forgotten all about my walk on the beach and the writing in the sand.
Mark opened his presents, and last, a card from Mike and his wife. “Am I the first to know?” Mark asked after reading the note inside.
Mike and his wife looked at each other. “No,” Mike said. “Mom was!”
Yes, Mark was going to be an uncle, and Mike was going to be a father after all. He’d found out just after he’d called. Thirteen years later I still walk the beach, only now I have not one but half a dozen grandkids on the journey with me. Some lucky lady for sure.
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