The Story of a Lifetime: On the Road Again

On the road

This past Saturday we took off, bound for Nanny and Pawpaw's, Brad's grandparents. We were yet again amazed at the healing work God is doing throughout our lives. After more than an entire year of having not seen them we were met at the door with an emotional reunion and tears shed on everyone's part...well, except maybe rough-around-the-edges, ever tender, sweet hearted Pawpaw's.....as we hugged and were all embraced in the overwhelming love of people that are held so dear to the heart of one's soul....both on their parts and our's. They, of course, were met by 6 very eager children ready to talk about anything and everything and a baby full of smiles and instant coos........and they in return could not get enough of them. After a year of miscommunication it was like no time had ever elapsed and we were once again embracing each other and making up for lost time. I guess at this point in Brad's and my life we have come to hold so much dearer to our hearts and realize what we have been given in the gift of each and every day...especially with our older relatives that we are not ever really assured of ever seeing again. Nanny and Pawpaw have become my grandparents and they have become to me what Grandpa always was. The Lord truly did bless me with them after having mourned his loss for so long and thinking there would never be another person in life that could ever come close to what he filled within me. And then I married Brad. Nanny and Pawpaw are to me what I have missed in Grandpa for so many many years. They are those grandparents that dote endlessly on the children and are content to hold them close without picking on anything and everything that they would do differently. They are those grandparents that give the children forbidden, ungodly amounts of candy...enough to replace an entire meal...without ever worrying about what health hazards it might potentially pose. The ones that spoil them rotten for the time they have with them and love them like I was loved when I was little. They are everything I treasured about being little and going to Grandpa's. All day long they laughed out of sheer pleasure and joy at the novelty of each one of the children. They see each one of them as miracles. I cannot help but think that they see their own lives being multiplied in each one of our children's eyes. These little people, these many Godly generations, coming to life because they lived. They couldn't seem to ever get enough kisses and hugs or whatever else the children were willing to lavishly pour upon them....including Garrett's many 1/2 eaten lifesavers he was so thrilled to be "sharing". And Gavin, in all of his sweetness, poured forth his unending amounts of joy and sheer love of life. He won their hearts by his larger than life smile as soon as he was spoken to and seemed all too content with the peace and love that the day surrounded him with. He talked as much as the other 6 did, much to the utter delight of his entire audience. Aunt Verna even got his little contagious laugh going uncontrollably as we all sat there laughing with and listening to him. And sweet, chubby Garrett was a crowd pleaser due to his very nature and the kisses........the MANY kisses.......he was so lovingly planting on everyone around him.

The day was wrapped in a presence of sweet contentment and sheer peace. The older ones came and went as they talked the ranch hand's ear off and heard delightfully horrifying tales on the woes and misfortunes of chickens. The little ones stayed perched in laps when they weren't out exploring or loving on the dog. It is sometimes odd to me how so much peace and tranquility can pervade even in the midst of so many young children. One of the many things I have learned in this parenting walk is that children are some of the very best discerners of spirits. Their little spirits are so innocent and so untouched and they pick up on the very slightest of spiritual surroundings...whether they be good or bad. I have learned it is one of the most important reasons to pray and set the mood and spirit of the home before letting any other harmful, intruder spirits do it for us. Bunny trail there.

Getting there is 1/2 the fun!

More Historical Markers to see along the way!

But without toys or anything worthy of note to occupy them they still remained completely content just to sit and bask in the love that enveloped them.

Arriving after being too long gone

Loving Nanny

Sweet Aunt Verna

Keeping Pawpaw busy

The birthday buddies.....Pawpaw was blessed with his 1st great granddaughter on his birthday 7 years ago this past August

Taking the Gator out

So Garrett's a little upset since he didin't get to open the gate w/ Daddy but everybody else is having fun. Gavin was inside playing with Nanny and Aunt Verna.

I cannot imagine life without Nanny and Pawpaw. They have been there our entire marriage and, though time may pass between visits with them, the security of knowing they are there is so all consuming and comforting...like a heavy blanket that completely swallows you in its warmth and comfort. They are to me what I have missed and longed for so long.

Going to the pond

Having some fun

Making some memories

After a day spent in the lap of an all consuming, unconditional love it sadly drew to a close. After the record was set straight and the promise was made to visit so much more than we had we all hugged and more tears were shed. Sometimes it just hurts so much to hug and have to let go. And it seems an injustice to even try to convey emotions that run so deeply. It is the moment that is lived in the embrace of someone that is held so dear to one's heart.

TX hay bails...lots of them