Tonight we had supper with my sister and her family, Rita and her husband Andrew, her daughter Kelsey and her boyfriend Travis and her son’s daughter Ava. Ava is 5 years old two years younger than my granddaughter Hailey.
I remember the first time I saw Ava. She was a baby being carried in her grandfather’s arms at Dan and my wedding. She was so little. And Andrew so smitten with that small bundle. His eyes lit-up as she lay nestled against him.
I have seen this tender look before in the eyes of another man. I saw that soft sweet expression every time Dan was with Hailey. Both of these men held these small beings in their large calloused hands. Smiling, as they hardly breathed. You could see their hearts open and overflowing in the presence of their granddaughters.
One of my favorite snapshots was taken the day Hailey was born. Dan is enthralled,as he gazes down at her tiny face. The room light shimmers as he holds this wondrous gift. His smile speaks of a secret only he knows.
Andrew once told me that he loved to just watch Ava sleep, marveling at her tiny fingers and toes. I sat between my husband and Andrew tonight. I watched him gaze at his wife and granddaughter with affection and tenderness.
As I contemplate these scenes, my eyes grow misty. We are so lucky to know this kind of love. I know these little girls are blessed with the love of family. There is something quite wonderful about a grandchild.
Here’s to the love of grandparents. I often joke that when I married Dan I gained a daughter and a son, but best of all I got a granddaughter without having to raise her parents. Here’s to seeing through the windows of a grandparent’s heart.
I don't have any grandchildren yet but your piece wants me to have them. They say the best part is that you borrow them and then they go back to their parents to do all the hard work.
ReplyDeleteRuth,
ReplyDeleteI just love this line, "His smile speaks of a secret only he knows." What a lovely piece, thank you for sharing.
Erin
You captured the grandparent love exactly! We just celebrated number 5 and number 6 is due in a little over a month. And the 6th will be as exciting as the first
ReplyDeleteThis slice made me remember my parents - and how much I love watching them enjoy my kids.
ReplyDeleteAs a child I missed out a lot on knowing my grandparents. We lived a long way from them. I think it is such an important bond.
ReplyDeleteYou write so elegantly! I love the words you use to describe the feelings. I know how it feels to be a grandparent and you nailed it! I don't have a granddaughter but I have 4 grandsons- that doesn't matter. Keep sharing, this is wonderful! It is a window into your life and other grandparents! In fact I just wrote about one of my grandsons.
ReplyDeleteKids are fantastic. I'm the oldest of six kids and I am excited to have my own. I appreciate the attention to the beauty of those moments. Especially in the description of the men's eyes.
ReplyDeleteBoth my husband and brother-in-law are very special men. I tried hard to capture those telling moments.
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