Friday, August 28, 2009

Oh Very Young







Mark 10:15: Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.
Today was the last day of a long and wonderfully tiring week. Our three year old granddaughter, Anne, has been staying with us while her mom is having surgery. Then today we also watched the other three year old little girl we sit for, Ella. The book of Genesis tells us that Sara and her husband were very old. And when Sara found out that God was letting her have a son, she laughed. And thousands of years later, people are still talking about that laugh. I know about that laugh, because I know why God does not let old people have babies. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. It is a continuously amazing, rewarding, funny, and often oddball experience. While she was staying with us this week, we came to know and appreciate our granddaughter much better. I would recommend it for all grandparents. The book of Proverbs says that our children’s children are a crown to the aged, and I’ve certainly found that to be true with us. The house is very quiet right now, as it is back to the two of us, my husband and me. We have the weekend to sleep and catch our breath before the fun begins again. I don’t know the future, but here’s one prediction I will try to make come true. Tomorrow we will sleep till mid afternoon. We will stretch and yawn and take our time waking up. Then we will recline on the couch with coffee and the paper and listen to the silence for a good long time. Like proper retired people. Then we will have an enjoyable private conversation. Which will be mostly about the girls. And then we will wonder when we will see our granddaughter again, and begin thinking of excuses to go visit. Because before the day is done, we will be missing them both. Childhood has the swiftness of a fleeting dream. I put my face in little Anne and Ella’s hair and breathe very deeply, hoping to inhale some of the youth, the energy, the trust and amazement. Because It is gone all too soon. Just ask Cat Stevens, who wrote and sang this:
Oh very young, what will you leave us this time?
You’re only dancing on this earth for a short while
And though your dreams may toss and turn you now
They will vanish away…fading up to the sky
And though you want it to last forever, you know it never will

2 comments:

Maga said...

Saudações de Lisboa-Portugal

senorris said...

I can sing that one for you too!

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