Grandchildren

The most wonderful thing in the world. When you have children, you are young and busy, and stupid. You don't always take the time to enjoy how spectacular kids are. It's not really your fault, you're just still into yourself and all your worries about becoming an adult. But by the time these precious gifts come along, you realize just how amazing all that innocence is. Too bad it doesn't happen with your own children. You're so busy raising them right, that you miss a lot of what's beautiful about them.

I have 10, soon to be 11, awesome grandkids. They make me want a better world, they make me think about the upcoming generation, they make me smile and laugh. I wish they lived close enough to see them on a regular basis. I pray for them and their parents every day that no evil will come near them. I feel blessed to be part of their lives, however remote it is. May they impact the world with fresh, new ideas!

Ethan fishing

Ethan and Papa fishing for the last time this summer

Dancin' with Jack

For those of you that are wondering what the secret of life is, this is part of it. Pure joy.

J&G dancn'

jack and grandma dancn'

Grace

I have been thinking about the Amish children who were killed and their families. One of the families called the wife of the killer and extended an invitation to her and her sons to come to the funerals, and if they needed anything to let them know. They told her they had truly forgiven her husband. Many people scoff at that. But this is how the Amish live, this is how they were raised, it's all they know. They believe that everything that happens is God's will. It has made me think that if they can forgive such a horrible thing, why do I get road rage when someone cuts in front of me?

Maybe this was God's will. If it makes people extend grace and love instead of anger and revenge, then it served it's purpose. Grace, it's an amazing thing. (No pun intended.)

Jericho

There's a new show on TV, Jericho, that is kind of cheesy, like one big disaster movie. The lead guy is trying to redeem himself, so he's the hero in every scene. (Come on, give someone else a chance to shine.) But the good thing about the show, is that it really makes you ponder the future. Nukes are a reality. We will see this happen. Part of me says, you can't prepare for somthing like this. Another part of me wants to run out and buy duct tape and rolls of plastic. What do you think? How are you preparing? We're supposed to have a family plan, not just for this, but for anything, like terroist attacks. Honestly, does this seem real to anyone? I guess to the people in NYC it does. Such a world we live in. Children can't even go to school without you wondering if a gunman will come along and wipe out your dreams. Boy, am I a pessimist today.

So, I guess my plan is to stay where I am. I will freak out if I'm in Nashville and my honey is in Lebanon, but we don't really have much control over this, do we? Peace that passes understanding is a good thing to fall on when this happens. Hope you all can find that.

When I was in elementary school I was living in South Florida. We had the Cuban Missle Crisis and had air raid drills at school. I remember my parents being glued to the TV, but to me, a young child, it was just fun to jump under the desk and "be a turtle". What innocence. Faith like a child, everything is going to be OK.