Psalm 37:25-26
I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be a blessing.
Last week, I decide it's high time I pay a visit to granddaughters, Virginia Rose and Savannah Jane, at school during their respective lunch times. Virginia and I have shared many lunch dates in the past, but as Savannah has just started kindergarten, this is our first rendezvous.
I'm uncharacteristically running late, so when I arrive at the cafeteria, Savannah's class is already in the lunch line. I have to scan the tables filling up fast with children to spot her. When she sees me, she smiles broadly, but neither shouts nor waves her hand. I ask, "Savannah, do you want to stay here and eat with your friends, or go over to the tables reserved for visiting parents and grandparents?"
Savannah points at the table, indicating she'd like to stay put, so I take the seat next to her. Immediately, the other little girls at our table start chattering away at me - so cute! But my own granddaughter? She utters nary a word. Just nods or points or smiles.
Or makes faces!
There are many volunteers on hand in the cafeteria, especially when the younger crowd is there. They cheerfully make the rounds, helping to open milk cartons or juice boxes, handing out napkins, and generally patrolling the children's behavior. I take particular notice of an older woman wearing a shirt with this proud boast on the back: Blessed To Be Called Nana. That makes me smile!
Before I know it, this same woman approaches me congenially, and pointing to Savannah, says, "She never speaks a word in the cafeteria. Does she talk at home?"
"Yes," I reply, amused. "But not nearly as much as her older sister, who does most of the talking for her."
Nana laughs. "That's what I figured. It happened in my family, too." Then she's off in a twinkling to tend to the needs of waiting students.
I turn to Savannah. "You know what got Virginia in trouble in kindergarten?" She shakes her head "no." "It was her constant talking. Guess that won't be a problem for you, will it?"
I'm rewarded with a grin.
But no words.
When it's time for her class to leave the cafeteria, Savannah gives me a big hug, and gets right in line with the other students. I wave good-bye as they troop down the hall.
Now, it's wait time until Virginia's fourth grade class appears at the lunch room doors. When she spots me, she waves me over, hugs me, and marches confidently toward those tables designated for visitors. Virginia is more than content to sit separately from her classmates in order to spend time with me. Such a thrill for this Gammie!
And while Savannah only picks at her food, Virginia gobbles her lunch with gusto!
Yes, we talk. On and on and on. Right up to the minute Virginia's class is lining up. "I love you, Gammie,''she declares, giving me a parting hug, which I warmly return.
"I love you, too, sweetie!"
As I reflect on the dramatic difference in personalities of these two precious grands, I find myself filled to overflowing with thankfulness for each unique and lovable soul God has chosen to put on this earth.
And this much I know: I am blessed to be called Gammie!
Amen!
How unusual that the school allows parents and relatives to come in and share lunchtime with their children. Not so in the UK. You leave your child at the school gate in the morning and collect him/her at the gate in the afternoon. No entry in the school. Some schools don't even like it if you teach your small child to read and write and maths at home. Teaching is the teachers' domain; not the parents. No wonder we have so many idiots in the UK.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you and your family.
Now that is something I definitely did not know, Victor, and I think it's a crying shame. In my opinion, parents should be involved in every aspect of their children's education. Not being so does lend itself to the proliferation of idiots, as you stated here.
DeleteLove and blessings!
And another thing ... sorry to come back ... in the UK home schooling is frowned upon. It is allowed by law but the authorities would make your life very difficult inspecting you and your home over and again to ensure the child is learning according to their standards. So in effect you will eventually give up home schooling and send your child to school State schools have not all got a good standard. Some people work hard both husband and wife to send their children to a private (paid) school which costs a fortune. The Labour Party have hinted strongly that if they form the new Government (we're having an election soon) they will curtail private schools; thus making your choice more difficult and you'll send your child to a state school.
DeleteGod bless.
Victor, this sounds hideous!!! We are fighting the same partisans here (Democrats) that would like the government to run everything and control everyone's lives. Our Constitution guarantees our freedoms of speech, religion and right to bear arms. This faction wants us to give that all up, so they can have all the power. That's socialism and it's a sickness! I'll be praying for the U.K. that people wake up and fight against interference in the decisions folks make, and should be able to make, in their private lives. May God convict hearts and minds!
DeleteLove and blessings, my friend!
What a sweet post about two sweet little girls. Sisters are not alike. My sister and I wonder all the time that we are from the same parents, raised in the same home in the same way and yet are total opposites. Thanks for sharing your story.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for sharing your story here, too, Kathy! Yes, isn't it amazing how different siblings can be? Virginia and Savannah are sweet little girls, indeed.
DeleteLove and blessings!
There is absolutely nothing like being a grandparent. Our grandson turns 13 Thursday so it will be interesting how he responds to us now. I'm expecting changes but sure hope he sees us as a light in his world. As for those two: different yes. But not so in the face department. If ANYONE confuses them for not being sisters they need the eye surgery I just had. WOW does SJ look like VR. You have every right to be one proud grandma.
ReplyDeleteI know I have every right to be proud, Bill, and I am! I think grandchildren always hold a special place in their hearts for their grandparents, and I think your grandson will hold the course when it comes to his love for you, no matter how old he gets. Happy Birthday to him, and congrats on your eye surgery!!!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh yeah, Martha! We had Grandparents' Day last week, too ... what fun. These are the good old days, the blessings, the new memories being built. And the older they get, the more fun they are for our grandchildren become our new closest friends.
ReplyDeleteI'm so grateful!
Grandparents' Day is a great tradition in so many schools, Linda, but I'm happy I don't have to wait for a particular day to be able to visit the grands at school. And I have to agree that these are the good old days with memories galore and so much love to share.
DeleteLove and blessings!
What a blessing to have this opportunity! (Not so when my son was small.) I'm a bit besotted by Savannah's eyes. :) Isn't it amazing how much she and Virginia resemble each other physically, but their personalities are so different.
ReplyDelete(Please excuse this 'only' child's observations. For as long as I can remember, I've been fascinated by siblings.)
I must admit, Myra, that Savannah's eyes are gorgeous, indeed. Yes, two sisters with definitely similar looks, but vastly different personalities, that's for sure. I love how God makes each one of us so unique!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh, Martha! Your post transported me back to some of my most precious memories with my kiddos. It's so hard to believe my oldest son is now a new daddy. What a joy it will be to visit my grandson, Luke when he starts school.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing how different and special each child can be. I'm so glad God made us all unique.
Thanks for sharing!
I'm so glad this post brought back sweet memories for you, Beckie! You have so much to look forward to as Luke grows up, and I know you'll make the most of each moment with him. He is such a handsome little guy!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Nothing in this world can compare to being called Gammie. In my case, it is Meme and Pinky (sweet story behind this one.) I love both names, because I love the children who calls me by them. Thanks for sharing your adventures with your grands.
ReplyDeleteOh, Nells, the names Meme and Pinky are so very sweet!!! I love that you shared this here with all of us. I'm glad you enjoyed this adventure with my grands, too. We absolutely know what a treasure we have in them - a gift from God.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Yes, it's certainly a blessing to be grandmas, Martha. :) I, too, love the uniqueness in each grandchild. I love that you asked Savannah where she wanted you to sit, giving her the chance to be where she was more comfortable. And though she doesn't say a word and isn't as exuberant in her actions like Virginia, her eyes express volumes of the love and gratitude she has for you. :) Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteTrudy, I'm so gratified to hear that you picked up on the expressiveness of Savannah's eyes. The eyes are the windows of the soul, are they not? And yes, indeed, they do express so much love and thankfulness, for which I am so grateful. I'm already looking forward to having lunch with her again! Grandchildren are God's reward for raising our children. :)
DeleteLove and blessings!
Those two girls are so cute and one can surely see that they are indeed sisters! It is wonderful that you can share lunch with them now and then and they obviously love having you with them. Interesting exchange with Victor, above.
ReplyDeleteYes, Terri, I'm so grateful for all my granddaughters, that's for sure! And Victor did make some revealing and startling comments regarding schools in the U.K. I hope we can prevent that sort of thing happening here on this side of the pond - so disturbing!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Thank you so much for providing another glimpse into your life and the life of your family. I had a smile on my face from the beginning through the end. Not at the grandparent stage yet, but I suspect within the next 3-5 years there could some precious grandchildren in my future. That said, not rushing or hinting to that in any way.
ReplyDeleteSo glad this made you smile, Ryan! Yes, no rush for grandchildren, but when they do finally make their appearance, your heart will be doing cartwheels of joy - that's a guarantee. :)
DeleteLove and blessings!
Aw, they are so sweet! My Papaw had nine children, and he always said how different they all were. It is so precious how God creates us all individually and so unique. May He bless you and your sweet grands!
ReplyDeleteYes, Cheryl, it never ceases to amaze me how different siblings can be. God is so creative! We are all as unique as our fingerprints.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Your granddaughters are beautiful! Such great smiles! It is amazing how siblings raised in the same home by the same parents can be so different. God gives each one her own special and unique personality!
ReplyDeleteYes, He certainly does, Laurie! And that's a good thing. Wouldn't it be boring if folks were all the same? Thanks so much for your kind words about the grands, too. :)
DeleteLove and blessings!
Your granddaughters are beautiful and so precious. I'm glad you were able to spend this special time with them. They will remember this forever and be blessed.
ReplyDeleteI certainly hope so, Barbara! Yes, they are so very precious to me, that's for sure.
DeleteLove and blessings!
we have grandparents day here at their school but now open like you do for any day. That is so cool. Interesting observation about the difference in the girls too. So glad you were able to connect with them. You are blessed!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, Jean, I am blessed, indeed! It's nice when parents and grandparents are welcomed anytime during the week, not just on particular days.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh Martha, this a beautiful post showing how different siblings are from one another. I love that diversity. Differences shouldn't divide us; sadly they do, at times.
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm an only child, I've seen how different siblings can be from each other: all I have to do is remember the differences between my mom and my uncle (her baby brother). It was hard to believe they had the same blood.
What a blessing for you and your granddaughters to be able to share a meal together.
Love and blessings!
Kim, I love your observation here that differences should not divide us. Instead, we should look for the ties that bind - we are all God's children, loved by Him, so we, in turn, should love one another, as difficult as that might be. The Lord will help us through if we let Him.
DeleteAnd yes, this day was such a blessed one for me!
Love and blessings!