Over the past few years Gale and I have had discussions about repainting our house, but we both agreed that we should wait until the grandkids get a little bigger.  They are old enough now so that we are not so concerned about them writing on the walls (although you never know what Addy will do no matter what her age!), so we decided that the time has come for us to do some sprucing up.

The first room I tackled was the bedroom that the grandkids use.  As I started to dismantle it I found all sorts of things from the past.  Mallory is our oldest granddaughter so a lot of the relics are hers.  As I sifted through all kinds of junk that should already be rotting away in the county dump, I came upon numerous memories from the past—pictures of Mallory when she was little, things she has made, and a collection of plush animals that have sat in a corner untouched for a long time.

As my mind went back over all those years it is hard to believe she is coming up on fourteen, wearing braces on her teeth, and all excited that she learned today that she has been chosen as one of the majorettes from the middle school.  Whoever said that time waits on no man was sure right.

I could not allow memories of the past to stop my work, so I continued on with my project.

It is interesting how circumstances come together in some odd ways at times.  About the time that Gale and I decided to put fresh paint on the walls we got some news that I did not expect right now—another grandbaby is on the way!  Thanks to our youngest daughter and her husband, that means that while the fresh paint is still fairly new there will be little handprints, spills, and all the other things that come with the arrival of a new member to the family.  I guess I better not throw away my paintbrushes after all!

Wednesday afternoon as I was finishing up my painting for the day, Madeline was close by my side talking and asking questions as I worked.  During the course of that time together she said, “I can’t believe that Aunt Jessica is having a baby.”  As we discussed it a little deeper I reminded her that Papa will be holding that new baby after it gets here.  The look on Madeline’s face was priceless; she did not know how to respond to that one.  I suppose it had not occurred to her that there would be one more little one that she will have to share Papa with.  After thinking for a few seconds she came back with a statement to gain some comfort for herself:  “I will still be your girl!”  I reassured her that she will always be Papa’s girl even after I am old and she has to look after me.

Proverbs 17:6 states:  “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children (New International Version).  I am thankful that God has allowed me the privilege of being involved in the lives of my children’s children—what a precious crown that God has allowed me to proudly and thankfully display.  The blessing of a family is a reminder that life is a great adventure filled with an abundance of the goodness of God as we faithfully follow Him.