I have noticed that as I am becoming older that not a lot of things change for me but they are for my friends.
I have watched them marry, settle into their jobs, have families, then watch their children leave home.
Then I have noticed a new spark in their lives as the grand children make their presence felt and this commences a new life style for the grandparents.
I have found it interesting to observe the different approach from raising their own children as to the approach to these little darlings who do nothing wrong – called grandchildren.
I wrote this as an introduction because of a lovely story that I was reading from a booklet of daily reflections.
This couple were asked to look after their twenty-two month old granddaughter. It was overnight and it was for the first time.
They did all they could to make it a pleasant experience.
They made sure it was a loving, happy time where the child was the centre of attraction and she loved it without her brothers.
The grandparents returned their granddaughter the next day. They stayed for some time then said their goodbyes. When they reached the front door the little girl, picked up her case and was ready to head off again with her grandparents.
The picture was etched in their memory forever.
Although the little girl was unable to vocalise it, she felt loved, secure and protected under the guidance of her grandparents.
I am sure many other grandparents can identify with this or have their own lovely memories.
We see this in a spiritual context in the lovely words in 1 John 3: 1-8. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called God’s children, and that is what we are.”
Our experiences of God tell us that we can pick up our bag and follow the Father because he will always care for us and we know we are safe. God, like the grandparents wants to lavish his love onto us and how good is that!
Fr Michael Morley
Sacred Heart Parish Tatura
