As the name of my blog indicates, I spend a lot of time thinking about home. Of course, my Heavenly Home is the one that is eternal, so that’s where I need to lay up my treasures, and that’s the one I’m striving for. But in the meantime, I have been given this tiny piece of the here-and-now—this home on the edge of town, this family, this neighborhood—in which to serve Him. And, though this is in the earthly realm, I want the things that happen here to be investments in the Heavenly realm.




Saturday, December 10, 2022

Gavin is 20


Our first grandchild turned 20 this week! 



Gavin, I will never forget that rush to the hospital on that unseasonably warm December day . . . Papa and I eager to meet our very first grandchild, Aunt Kati (age 9) excited to meet her first nephew, and Aunt Bekah (20 months) having no idea what was going on! You were born shortly before we arrived and I'll never forget that wonderful and mysterious feeling that comes when your "baby" has a baby and you are suddenly a different person than you were before that moment. 

And now we have twenty years of precious memories! Holding you as a tiny baby. So many Sunday afternoons of play and pretend and Christmas pageants and craft projects and cookie decorating. "Special Days." Newsletter days. Watching you grow into a big boy and then a teen and then a man. Drive-by graduation. Holiday gatherings. Listening to your banter with Uncle Ryan. Origami creations. Amazing art. Years of love. 

We will make new memories and share life together, but right now, I look back and treasure what has already been. 

Happy birthday, Gavin! May God continue to direct your path!

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way." (Psalm 37:23)

With much love and prayers, 
Papa and Gran ❤️


18 comments:

  1. A very happy birthday to Gavin. 🎉 Your essay on Gavin's life thus far was most special, Cheryl.

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    1. Thanks so much, Vee!! Grands win our hearts without even trying, don't they?

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  2. Happy Birthday, Gavin! You are a handsome young man. Our first grandchild, Elisabeth, turned 20 last February and was married in June after finishing an Associate's Degree. It is still hard for me to believe that she is married and will soon turn 21. Children and especially grandchildren are most definitely a reward. My daughters kids are 13 to 20 and my son's kids are around eight months old, four, and six. (My son was born when my daughter was twelve!)

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Brenda! Is it just me, or do grandchildren seem to grow up even more quickly than children? I, too, find it hard to believe that I have a grandson who is 20! Indeed, our children and grandchildren are a blessing . . . every single one.

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  3. Happy Birthday to Gavin! A 20 year old grandson. How wonderful to enjoy adult grandchildren while you are still as young as you are. Can't help but wonder if I'll be alive when JJ turns 20, 17 years from now. If it's in God's Providence for me...

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    1. Ellen, I feel very blessed to be able to enjoy my grandchildren as they get older. So many are teenagers now. (Let me do the analytics . . . hmmm . . . 5 teenagers, 1 freshly out of his teens, 2 who will be teenagers in 2023, and 7 of the younger set.) I have had similar thoughts about the younger ones . . . and even about Bekah's future children. Like you, I choose to rest in His plan for each child and for me!

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  4. I agree with Vee, a wonderful essay on Gavin's life so far! Happy Birthday to your first grand. I'm pretty sure Gavin will treasure this beautiful greeting forever.

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    1. Thanks so much, Martha Ellen! The joy that grandchildren bring to your life is like no other! You have firsthand knowledge of that!

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  5. I hope Gavin has a wonderful birthday! Grandchildren are such a joy and an incredible blessing. They make life extra special!

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    1. Thank you for visiting, Mrs. White, and for your birthday greetings for Gavin! I agree with your words about grandchildren . . . such a blessing!

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  6. Happy Birthday to Gavin. What a sweet message to him from you, his grandmother. Grandchildren are such wonderful gifts from God.

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    1. Thank you, Lorrie! So thankful for those gifts, as I know you are!

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  7. Oh my, what precious memories wrapped up in this post. Happy birthday to Gavin!

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    1. I will pass your birthday message to Gavin! Yes, precious memories . . .

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  8. What a lovely message you're written to Gavin. This made me think... If we are ever blessed with grandchildren, I'll be 20+years older than you are now before celebrating their 20th birthday. That is old, FWIW (I'm pretty sure I'm older than you now). How fortunate you are to be able to enjoy so many years with your grandchildren.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Becki! You know, I don't think about it that often because it's just how our family was designed by the Lord, but you're right. We are very blessed to enjoy these years with our precious grandchildren! I married young and had children young, as did my oldest daughter, which means more years to enjoy the oldest ones. (Of course, our youngest daughter isn't even married yet, so I could be quite old by the time future grandchildren are born and grown! By the way, I am 62. 😊)

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  9. Happy Birthday Gavin!

    Deanna Rabe

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