Saturday, July 25, 2009

How fifteen pounds can change your life ....


Today, Ethan is 4 months old and weighs 15 pounds!

What a joy it's been to experience grandparenting this child. Even though we've only been with him on a dozen occasions, every moment of those hours and days was packed full of bonding and a precious emotional attachment. He's changed my life!

It's amazing how a grandchild makes you want to take better care of yourself. I've been walking more, eating less (most of the time), exercising on our Bowflex and trying, in general, to stay fit. How is it a 15-pound baby could bring about such drastic changes in his Nana's life!?

It's quite simple, really -- I want to be around to see him grow up! It's amazing the things he's taught me in the past four months. I often look at something and wonder how he would see it. I hear something that I'd like him to hear, I smell cookies and think of baking cookies for him some day.

This little guy has been quite a teacher without ever saying a word. The way he notices every little sound, or gets excited when he sees a shiny object reminds me how important it is to see things through the eyes of a child. They look with eyes of wonder on what has become, to grownups, all too common in our mad rush through each day.

Consider, for instance, the delicate wings of a butterfly ... the speed of a hummingbird or the slow determination of a turtle crossing the road ... the glorious sunrises and sunsets that streak a summer sky and the black drop of night skies punctuated with silver stars. Children notice.

I also want to listen for sounds with the ears of a young child -- hearing and really listening to the marvelous creation and the people and things within it ...

Listen to the sound of a whippoorwill in the darkness... or children laughing in a neighbor's yard ... and the mockingbird's solo from his perch on the telephone pole. Hear the whistle of a train in the distance and the whinny of the neighbor's horse. Even the simple drip of a faucet is noticed by little children.

It's amazing how fifteen pounds can change your life. Thanks, Ethan, for being Nana's teacher. Have a happy 4-month celebration with Mommy and Daddy, okay? Papaw and I love you!

3 comments:

  1. Ethan is beautiful....and has a wonderful Nana.
    You are blessed to have him, and he is blessed to have a Nana with such great perception of children.
    Smiles from Jackie

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  2. Hi Nan, what a beautiful little grandson you have and what a wonderful Nana he has! You've just reminded me that our littlest addition to the family (granddaughter) is 4 months old tomorrow. I'm happy to say they'll be visiting me in two weeks' time so I get to see her and her older (6 yo sister and 3 yo brother) siblings again. Bless you. Hugs Jo

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  3. Awww, thanks, gals. I won't argue with you about him being a beautiful baby. So happy for you, Jo, to have time with your little ones soon!

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