Friday, August 17, 2012

Gifts of gratitude

As summer time winds down and days start getting shorter and cooler in the evening, I start having the feelings that seem to come with the time of harvest and gathering, I am having deep feelings of gratitude tonight.  My summer has run by like someone being chased by a bear and I don't know where time has gone.  I do feel that I have accomplished much this summer and I feel so grateful for the opportunity that was mine to travel and work in the yard and do all the things that I needed and wanted to do.  I thank my Father-in-Heaven for giving me a body capable of doing all I asked of it.  How wonderful it is to have the feeling and desire to go and do and have a body that makes it all possible.  I am Grateful.

I also have deep and tender feelings of gratitude for my beautiful family.  Every one of them, from the oldest to the youngest.

 To my oldest granddaughter I want to say, you are truly a daughter of our Heavenly Father, who loves you deeply (even more then your grandma, if that is possible) and I want nothing more then for you to know and feel of that love. YOU are so amazing, and I LOVE YOU!

 To my second granddaughter, How on earth could we have been so lucky to get you in our family.  Your kindness and sweetness set you apart from anyone else in the room.  You carry a lightness with you wherever you go and I LOVE YOU!

To my third little granddaughter, you are a constant source of joy, and even at your young age you are such a gracious little lady. Your smile is infectious. You make me be a better person just by being around you and I LOVE YOU!

My next grandbaby is my first grandson.  He has a smile that could power a small city.  It makes everyone around him smile and he is such an example of kindness to his younger siblings.  I am so excited to watch you grow my little monkey, I LOVE YOU!

Number 5 grandbaby is my second grandson and he sends his grandmas heart all aflutter when he smiles and runs to me to give me the best hugs in the world. His enthusiasm for all he does is contagious and the world follows him as if he were a pied piper.  HE makes everyone smile when he is around and I LOVE YOU!

Next to grace our family is another grandson so sweet and quiet, he has an uncanny ability to focus on a task until completed and quietly goes about his day of play.  He loves his siblings and although he wipes off his adoring grandmas kisses, he always allows me to plant them on his little head before wiping them playfully away, I LOVE HIM!

My very precocious granddaughter came along next and she is a delight.  She has an old soul and is very smart.  She is a lovely little girl with a twinkle in her eyes when she laughs.  She loves her little brother so very much and her grandma loves when she shares her sweet kisses with grandma, I LOVE YOU!

Next is my shy little grandson who makes his grandma work hard to get his time and attention.  He is such a delightful little boy and so loving to his little brother.  His curly blond hair is the thing that fairy tales are made of and he rewards my patience with his angelic laugh, I LOVE YOU!

My next granddaughter is more sparkling then a bottle of champagne.  She bubbles all over the place and her eyes have a twinkle that just doesn't stop.  The room lights up when she runs in (because walking just wouldn't do).  She is the light of noonday and I LOVE YOU!

My next miniature little grandson is like a full grown adult in a little boy.  He is so smart and inquisitive and can really jump on the trampoline like a pro.  I love that he reminds me so much of his daddy, my youngest son.  He is an angel child, and I LOVE YOU!

Grandbaby number 11 is a wonderful little boy, he is independent and loves to wave bye-bye.  If left alone he loves to go exploring and can even be cajoled into giving his grandma a sweet kiss.  He is extraordinary and I LOVE YOU!

Number 12 is a gorgeous bundle of love.  He smiles without much convincing from his grandma, as a matter of fact, sometimes I look at him and he is just grinning at me willing me to look at him.  He is a very solid little boy with a soft edge about him that draws everyone to him.  He is a joy and I LOVE YOU!

As you can see, I have much to be grateful for.  I don't know how I am so lucky and so fortunate.  What could I have possibly done to warrant such gifts of love and spirit, I don't know, but I am so grateful to be in the lives of these valiant spirits.

I want to state unequivocally that children are the greatest gift of all and I want only to live worthy of the trust that has been placed in me to love and support them throughout their lives.