Grandma "Firsts"

After almost 55 years here on this earth, there're lots of "snapshots" in my mind of memories that are unique to my "scrapbook" if you will.

I've become a grandmother, and it seems like a brand new "era" in the life and times of Barb Prosser Winder. How did I get to this point and what lies just beyond the horizon? We all know that only God has the answer to the future, but upon reflection of the past, I can certainly share a few moments that stand out for me. And I don't mean I'm going to try to recall my "life's story" in a 600 word Blog post. No, I have a specific goal for today, as the title of this entry suggests.

Last April 17th, I got a phone call that started me on a journey that not only changed my life, but changed how I look at the span of time that God has given to me, to do with it as I will (with plenty of guidance from Him of course).

I heard the words, "Mom, you're a grandmother" and my heart's natural rhythm sped up, my hands started to shake, I couldn't speak English (kidding). I could NOT get in the car fast enough and make the 50 minute trip to the hospital where I would meet this newest member of our family and fall in love at first sight (You can actually refer back to June 3, 2007's post entitled "Grandma Time" to get a sense of those warm fuzzy feelings).

Riley Derek Johnston has taken hold of his Nanna's hand and heart and has given new purpose to this grateful soul who now can NOT imagine life without him.

From his first visit to our home, to this very moment on this stormy March evening, there's this tenderness that just "happens" whenever I think about his little chubby fingers reaching up to touch my face. I don't think I could ever really explain it to my son, or anyone other than maybe another Grandma. "It" turns us to mush, makes us act sillier than usual and just plain flips our boring life upside down.

The first time I held him in my arms, the first time I got to show him off at church, the first time I sang onstage with Riley in my arms, the first time I dipped him in our pool, the first time I recorded with him on my lap (this past November I released a Christmas album and Riley's picture is in the insert).

The first live radio gig with my precious grandson sitting on my lap, reaching for the mic--It's all captured in snapshots. In fact, I made an album for my son and his girlfriend, gave it to them for Christmas and Riley's Mom sat with tears flowing down her cheeks as she turned the pages in that album. I had enlagements framed for them and Jackie had them hung as soon as we walked out the door that day I think:o)

Whatever life holds from here on out, whatever "stuff" happens, nothing can ever compare to the new "firsts" that have been given me over these last few months. God has blessed me in ways I could never have imagined or dreamed of, and all the money or fame in the entire world could never even come close to topping that.

I'm so thrilled to be a grandmother--it's a title I carry with bliss etched forever on my face and down to my very core.

Maybe it's because I've been reading a book by Karen Kingsbury this week--the father of the Baxter family makes scrapbooks of letters that his wife had written over the years to him and their 6 children--that has made me appreciate my own "place" in this world. The place where love lives and keeps us going, where "firsts" mean more love and appreciation for the blessings we can count, starting with the awakening each morning to a new day.

And, if you've read any of my previous posts in the last few months, you also know that my Hubby's daughter has given us a beautiful grand-daughter to love and spoil. She'll be 3 a few days now and is the light of our lives (I did NOT want to leave her out of the picture because she's so very special to me--just as special as Riley). We've enjoyed many visits from her as well--"play-dates" they call them now.

I will include 2 or 3 photos of these darling grandkids. Just before I close though, I must thank these children of "ours" for bringing these delightful little humans into the world. Life will never be the same, since that "first" look at those new grand-babies--Love it, love it........Blessings to you and yours......Barb
okay, there are 5 or 6 photos-- Grin

Long, Long Winter

It's March 5th--can you believe it? Outside my office window, freezing rain pellets, mixed with a fine snow, are being swept across the fields by a blistering Arctic wind. How's that for a Maritime picture this "pre" spring Wednesday morning?

Yesterday when I ambled down our long driveway to get our morning newspaper, I was basking in the 40 degree (F) temps, loving the sound of those finches, and savouring the feel of the warm air on my face. Not so this morn--I had to pick my way over the ice that lays underneath this freezing "mess" that we're being pounded with, yet AGAIN!

My point to all this grumbling? There is none really. It's that "pre" spring thing I mentioned. It's the onset of spring fever, that yearing that "springs" up from the lowest part of our bellies, where we dream of "green" (and I'm not talking about St. Patty's Day), where we start to imagine the smell of the fresh earth and envision the new buds popping on our trees and shrubs. It's that urge to yell, "Enough of this Mother Nature--we've had enough!"

My husband has taken more photos this season than ever before, simply because the scenes that have met us at the breakfast table have been awe-inspiring, incredibly breath-taking, stop-you-in-your-tracks beautiful. But, we've now got all of those photos we could ever want or need.

It's time for a "turn"--a new corner that takes us away from these stinging north winds and freezing pellets. We want "warm", sand, beach walks, colour back on our faded "northern" skin. And, that said, Hubby picked up the phone yesterday and made reservations at Myrtle Beach, for a 2 week holiday for us. Can I yell now? YES! YES! YES!

For today and the next few, I can focus on my "to-do" lists, sort through my "beach" clothes, start my packing, dream, dream, dream. Okay, Lord willing, the dream will become reality in a few weeks, as we load up and head south, to a one-bedroom efficiency, just across the street from an Atlantic Ocean beach that will be our home for a glorious 12 days--I'm going to yell again; YES!!!!!

I do also have to mention that we've both been hit with a nasty bug, giving us sinus pain, buckets of "you-know-what", coughing fits and over-all "blahs". Top that with storms that won't quit and you have a recipe for the "get-away" blues. Well, we also have to say that we are blessed to able to travel to somewhere warmer, if even only for a few days. We can dip our toes in the salt water, gather shells and sharks' teeth (yes, sharks' teeth), gently brown our legs and arms with Myrtle Beach sun on a beach that's just steps away from our lodging--HOW CAN YOU HATE THAT??

Thank-you Lord for winter--I mean, thank-you Lord for warmer places, and for our warm summer, which we will (no doubt) be complaining about before too long. Help us NOT to grumble but teach us to love where we are and who we are--Amen!

Blessings to you and "yours" today and we'll chat again soon.... Barb
I've included a few of those "awe-inspiring" photos I was talking about, and yes, there is lots of beauty in winter-I do have to be honest here--grin:o)