Family Ties

Since our marriage enlarged our family from four to eight, it keeps us doubly happy.   Parenting changes over the years, and yet some things about parenting never change.  As grandchildren mature, their parents’ lives change as well.  At times, we don’t perhaps see as much of our children as we would like, but there is satisfaction seeing them busy with their own families.  Occasionally without planning it that way, we see many of them over the space of a few days.  That’s the way it has been for us in the past week. 

We have a grandson and his wife almost ready to leave for an adventure in India and Nepal.  Another is planning to leave for medical training in Australia and still another off to North Bay to begin post-secondary training. Two more grandsons leave for third and fourth year in university and a grand-daughter just got her first job after finishing her training and one just starting high. We share deeply quite often with another grand-daughter who is growing by leaps and bounds in her understanding of herself and in her relationship with God.

In the past week we had repeated connection when a few of our children experienced crisis in their lives. We had several stop in unexpectedly for brief visits, Monday my three daughters and I spent the day together and today I had a delightful lunch with another grand-daughter.   Each one of our family brings their own special kind of joy to us.  Those connections and family ties bring us much joy and sense of completeness.  How fortunate to have such ties—none of them broken—in a day and age when that happens so frequently.  As I reflect on the way our lives have touched so many of our family this past week, my heart swells with thankfulness and joy. 

 

Yes, parenting changes over the years.  We no longer change diapers and get up for night feedings.  We no longer rush about taking our children to sports or other activities.  We no longer worry about when they’re coming home at nights. But what never changes is our love for them.  When they hurt, we hurt. When they face difficulties in their work places or relationships, we ache for them even though we know that those difficult times signal need and opportunity for growth.  When they worry over their children or finances or health, we pray with renewed zeal and hearts full of care. And through it all, we love them ever more deeply—that never changes.

The older I get, the more I understand my heavenly Father’s love and care.  No wonder he planned for us to live in families.  And I give thanks.

www.ruthsmithmeyer.com

There were families also in my books, Not Easily Broken and Not Far from the Tree.  They too learned and grew in their relationships through difficulties and joyous times.  Let me know if you'd like to read about them.