Changing my mind...

It always seems like I get an idea for a post, only to have God lead me to another. I have a friend at church - her name is Diane. She is one of the sweetest women I have ever met, with a quiet strength that is amazing. She has three beautiful daughters, the oldest of whom recently gave birth to a baby boy with Downs syndrome. His name is Collin - and the road he has traveled in his short life has not been easy. He's been in the hospital for several weeks - heart problems, and intestinal problems which will need surgery, and leukemia as well. But tonight, Collin is finally at home with his mommy and daddy and his big brother Sean. I just received an email with some pictures from Diane - pictures of Collin in his own crib, sleeping like a little angel - the look on his little face totally at peace.
God is so good to give us these blessings. Tonight a young mom's eyes will close in sleep knowing that her baby is at home. Her rest will be the best she has had in a long while, and yet it will be a vigilant sleep as well.
Someone I used to work with came through the office the other day and asked me what's so great about being a grandma. There are no words to describe it - not words which are adequate anyway. I think about holding Veronica and Kasey when they were newborns - that feeling of total love and peace when a baby is asleep on your shoulder, the sweet scent of baby powder more lovely than the finest perfume. When you have children, you think nothing could be more wonderful than holding your baby. But then comes the raising of that child, all the good and bad experiences and the busyness of their lives which make them dependent on you for a lot more than when they are babies. (Yet they would NEVER admit they are dependent on you when they are 14 and need a ride to the mall and you have to pick up 4 of their friends on the way...and then go back and pick them all up, take them all home, order pizza and listen to them giggle the rest of the night when they do an impromptu sleepover at your house. I sometimes miss those days).But when they marry and have their own children, the peace and contentment and amazing love comes flooding back the very moment they place their child in your arms.
Tomorrow my friend will hold her grandson - a little boy who has much ahead of him. But oh the love that will get him through every step of the way.
Praise God for His tender mercies.
Sue