When our first grand daughter was born they lived 12 hours from us. I could leave if I knew when we were to seem them again. If I didn’t know that, it was even harder to leave them.
Isn’t God amazing how he puts these little ones in our lives and they grab hold tight! I love it. There is nothing like having them throw their arms around your neck in sheer delight to see you. It is a taste of heaven! Congratulations.
Now my kids live about 20 minutes from us. I love it……most of the time
Congratulations. Our little one is 7mo now. When we leave her, a part of us stays with her. I really hope that’s how God feels about me, except he’s not the one that leaves, it’s me that’s leaving.
Bless you! Saying goodbye to that baby… That has to be the bitter in the sweet life of grandparenting. Funny though that as they grow older sometimes the goodbye is a little sweet too…or so I’ve been told.
Not to pick on Coping, but didn’t she once say she was a one week grandma?
SG - Yes, “Coping” once mentioned that she was a one-week grandmother. Of course, that was specifically with Megan. (You’re one of the people on this blog who can understand both the love and exhaustion of that comment.) She saved our marriage by keeping Megan a week every year. It wasn’t a chore for her and my Dad. They loved Meg like every other grandchild. But she was EXHAUSTING! Those times they kept her, we got away and relaxed. Often we needed those times to find each other again.
Once, she agreed to a ten-day visit. When we returned, she flashed a weary smile and said, “I think I’m a one-week grandma.”
My parents are grieving that the last of their grandchildren is graduating May 12th from HU, & they’ll no longer have a gc coming through the door to eat Gr’mama’s good meals, or good conversation with Gr’daddy over just about any topic.
I remember when our first grandchild was born 18 years ago. My daughter lived in Columbia, SC. We lived in Michigan. That first year we burned the road up between the two places. The first time I was ever accused of being a baby hog. We were like silly kids. I never dreamed he would hold her for the last time when she would be 5.
How I know what you and Diane are experiencing right now!
When my first grandbaby was born, he was 3 hours away. I made that trip in too much of a record time. The first time I held him is as fresh in my mind as it was that same day. But I had to say goodbye for a time.
I was with that precious baby, now seven years old as he faced a long treatment for leukemia. And again, I had to say a heartbreaking so long.
I was also with that precious boy, now fifteen, the day the doctors declared him “an adolescent with a history of leukemia.” They declared him cured. That goodbye was bittersweet - painful to leave, but joy-filled for his new diagnosis.
That first precious grandbaby is the longest-lived survivor of leukemia ever treated at the Children’s Hospital where he practically lived those long eight years. The eighth of this month he celebrated his 39th birthday. Every time I think of him, I still remember that first time I held him. He’s still, in my memory and mind’s eye, that beautiful newborn babe.
Your heart is in Houston, Mike - mine is in Honolulu.
For the first year of my son’s life, my mother visited him EVERY DAY. She lived 45 miles away so that was a lot of driving. She also brought him a present every day until I made her stop.
I learned quickly to cherish a grandparent’s visit. It was a gift to see my children through their eyes, especially at the end of a long week. Funny, how everything a grandchild does is “so smart” or “so cute,” when some of those things would have earned us a swat on the bottom. Not that you will be guilty of that…….
My mamaw now lives in a nursing home and she stands at the door to wave at me when I drive away. I wonder if seeing her granddaughter leave is as hard as it is for me to leave my mamaw?
Mike,
Can’t imagine what that felt like…your words sure do read heavy. My hope is that you’ll see her soon. It’s amazing how attached you get in such a short time.
My wife is a little over 12 weeks pregnant, we just heard the heart beat for the first time today…I haven’t stopped thinking about my baby since, can’t wait to hold it!
Congratulations…I’m sure you’re already the fav. G-pa!
Reading all of these comments have touched my heart and have even caused a tear or two. Sweet memories of my mamaw and then longing for the day I will be a grandmother!
Congratulations on that precious little girl! She is blessed.
“We anxiously anticipate the day when these tiny lips proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord”
I have heard you bless parents and grands with these words for 4 years during baby blessings at Highland. I can always plan on a big lump in my throat each time I hear them. I can only imagine the new meaning they have for you right now.
I took Mother to meet Reese Kathryn Cope today and you were so right. She is absolutely beautiful. How could she not be? I actually think she looks like Matt. I know the “hungry arms” syndrome that you speak of. Sometimes I just can’t stand it anymore and have to have a road trip to see mine. Congrats on a lovely addition to your family. Even though we share her as families, I will try to let you and Diane do your share of spoiling her rotten! A princess can’t have too much spoiling. Especially a beautiful princess.
Been there…done that…so we understand how you feel! You are leaving this precious child…and if you’re like us, you wanted to just scoop her up and take her home with you. After all, you’ve had experience raising babies! We kinda like what the Amish do…and tried to explain to our children that it was a good idea!…just build on to the parents’ house…up to 3 or 4 generations. That way, we’d be there for those babies, but it doesn’t happen when work is in another city.
Hey Mike! It was so nice getting to see you and visit with you, Diane and Chirs in the waiting room…ALL DAY!! HA And yes, your right! Reese is just beautiful! And Matt and Jenna are going to be awesome parents!! What a fun day…..
Congratulations to the great grandparents. We just located your blog tonight. Remember our “adopted” kids; they’ve delivered 3 boys in the last 6 weeks. We have 62 and counting but not really. They have blessed our lives and we thrilled to hear them call “grandma and grandpa.” You will be a pushover when those words comes. Enjoy those genetic gifts! We miss you.
Nice Blog! Two thumbs up to iss at PreacherMike in regards to Newborn boy gift! Friday I was thinking the exact same thing. This is a VERY interesting line of thought.
When our first grand daughter was born they lived 12 hours from us. I could leave if I knew when we were to seem them again. If I didn’t know that, it was even harder to leave them.
Isn’t God amazing how he puts these little ones in our lives and they grab hold tight! I love it. There is nothing like having them throw their arms around your neck in sheer delight to see you. It is a taste of heaven! Congratulations.
Now my kids live about 20 minutes from us. I love it……most of the time
Congratulations. Our little one is 7mo now. When we leave her, a part of us stays with her. I really hope that’s how God feels about me, except he’s not the one that leaves, it’s me that’s leaving.
Bless you! Saying goodbye to that baby… That has to be the bitter in the sweet life of grandparenting. Funny though that as they grow older sometimes the goodbye is a little sweet too…or so I’ve been told.
Not to pick on Coping, but didn’t she once say she was a one week grandma?
Hang in there Grandpa. You’ll hold and kiss her again soon.
SG - Yes, “Coping” once mentioned that she was a one-week grandmother. Of course, that was specifically with Megan. (You’re one of the people on this blog who can understand both the love and exhaustion of that comment.) She saved our marriage by keeping Megan a week every year. It wasn’t a chore for her and my Dad. They loved Meg like every other grandchild. But she was EXHAUSTING! Those times they kept her, we got away and relaxed. Often we needed those times to find each other again.
Once, she agreed to a ten-day visit. When we returned, she flashed a weary smile and said, “I think I’m a one-week grandma.”
My parents are grieving that the last of their grandchildren is graduating May 12th from HU, & they’ll no longer have a gc coming through the door to eat Gr’mama’s good meals, or good conversation with Gr’daddy over just about any topic.
Good-byes are so hard.
I remember when our first grandchild was born 18 years ago. My daughter lived in Columbia, SC. We lived in Michigan. That first year we burned the road up between the two places. The first time I was ever accused of being a baby hog. We were like silly kids. I never dreamed he would hold her for the last time when she would be 5.
How I know what you and Diane are experiencing right now!
When my first grandbaby was born, he was 3 hours away. I made that trip in too much of a record time. The first time I held him is as fresh in my mind as it was that same day. But I had to say goodbye for a time.
I was with that precious baby, now seven years old as he faced a long treatment for leukemia. And again, I had to say a heartbreaking so long.
I was also with that precious boy, now fifteen, the day the doctors declared him “an adolescent with a history of leukemia.” They declared him cured. That goodbye was bittersweet - painful to leave, but joy-filled for his new diagnosis.
That first precious grandbaby is the longest-lived survivor of leukemia ever treated at the Children’s Hospital where he practically lived those long eight years. The eighth of this month he celebrated his 39th birthday. Every time I think of him, I still remember that first time I held him. He’s still, in my memory and mind’s eye, that beautiful newborn babe.
Your heart is in Houston, Mike - mine is in Honolulu.
For the first year of my son’s life, my mother visited him EVERY DAY. She lived 45 miles away so that was a lot of driving. She also brought him a present every day until I made her stop.
I learned quickly to cherish a grandparent’s visit. It was a gift to see my children through their eyes, especially at the end of a long week. Funny, how everything a grandchild does is “so smart” or “so cute,” when some of those things would have earned us a swat on the bottom. Not that you will be guilty of that…….
I’m sure it was hard on Reese to see you go, too.
My mamaw now lives in a nursing home and she stands at the door to wave at me when I drive away. I wonder if seeing her granddaughter leave is as hard as it is for me to leave my mamaw?
Mike,
Can’t imagine what that felt like…your words sure do read heavy. My hope is that you’ll see her soon. It’s amazing how attached you get in such a short time.
My wife is a little over 12 weeks pregnant, we just heard the heart beat for the first time today…I haven’t stopped thinking about my baby since, can’t wait to hold it!
Congratulations…I’m sure you’re already the fav. G-pa!
Reading all of these comments have touched my heart and have even caused a tear or two. Sweet memories of my mamaw and then longing for the day I will be a grandmother!
Congratulations on that precious little girl! She is blessed.
Ahhh…..
“We anxiously anticipate the day when these tiny lips proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord”
I have heard you bless parents and grands with these words for 4 years during baby blessings at Highland. I can always plan on a big lump in my throat each time I hear them. I can only imagine the new meaning they have for you right now.
Grand blessings
Every baby comes as evidence
That God still dreams of Eden
Calvin Miller
I took Mother to meet Reese Kathryn Cope today and you were so right. She is absolutely beautiful. How could she not be? I actually think she looks like Matt. I know the “hungry arms” syndrome that you speak of. Sometimes I just can’t stand it anymore and have to have a road trip to see mine. Congrats on a lovely addition to your family. Even though we share her as families, I will try to let you and Diane do your share of spoiling her rotten! A princess can’t have too much spoiling. Especially a beautiful princess.
Been there…done that…so we understand how you feel! You are leaving this precious child…and if you’re like us, you wanted to just scoop her up and take her home with you. After all, you’ve had experience raising babies! We kinda like what the Amish do…and tried to explain to our children that it was a good idea!…just build on to the parents’ house…up to 3 or 4 generations. That way, we’d be there for those babies, but it doesn’t happen when work is in another city.
Hopefully you took your time rowing back to Abilene Mike. I hear doves and olive branches are in demand.
Hey Mike! It was so nice getting to see you and visit with you, Diane and Chirs in the waiting room…ALL DAY!! HA And yes, your right! Reese is just beautiful! And Matt and Jenna are going to be awesome parents!! What a fun day…..
Congratulations to the great grandparents. We just located your blog tonight. Remember our “adopted” kids; they’ve delivered 3 boys in the last 6 weeks. We have 62 and counting but not really. They have blessed our lives and we thrilled to hear them call “grandma and grandpa.” You will be a pushover when those words comes. Enjoy those genetic gifts! We miss you.
We gave birth to my parents’ only grandchildren and then moved them to another state. Wonder if we’re still in the will…
Nice Blog! Two thumbs up to iss at PreacherMike in regards to Newborn boy gift! Friday I was thinking the exact same thing. This is a VERY interesting line of thought.