The circle of life...

By Debi Baker

I have 4 grown, married children. I am a mom. I have 12 grandchildren. I am a nana.  My life revolves around these 20 people and my husband!   Thankfully, I still have both of my parents so my life also revolves around them!

My beautiful granddaughter!
Now in college! 

I said all of that to get to this point, we are taken on many journeys throughout our life. We start out dating which usually leads marriage which normally leads to children.  This path takes a while but will eventually lead to sons/daughter-in-laws.  And that journey will usually end in grandchildren. This is the state I'm currently in.  And then the cycle starts all over again with those grandchildren. Either they will be dating and so on or they will go off to college and then start the journey into marriage, kids, etc.

For me, our firstborn grandchild has gone off to college. I think I might die!  It feels like I might!  I miss her more than I ever thought possible!

Our family vacation always comes at the end of August...she's not here.   I go to talk to her...she's not here.   I long for the days when she was little and would pitch a fit to come and spend the night with Nana! I know those days are in the past...I know we can't live in the past. I don't even want to live in the past...I just miss it sometimes!

Would I change things?  No!  It's supposed to be this way.  And if we live always looking back, we'll never grow and be who God wants us to be! Yes, my heart longs for the days of old but I'm excited to see what God is and is going to do in her life!   Sometimes I just need to cry a little and reminisce!

I thank God for the beautiful, young woman she is and will be! She is a huge piece of my heart!

What are you going through today?