Ode To Ephram

Advent begins.

In some ways I feel it actually began on November 6, 2015, when a special little boy sent from heaven came to us.

His name is Ephram Gabriel, my grandson.

The first photo I posted on Facebook of the two of us included the phrase "Definitely love at first sight."

I can now add love growing deeper at second sight and third sight and every time I behold his sweet little face.

Like all newborn babies, he has managed to take over the lives of his parents. He demands attention.

And we all lovingly give it. 

Ode to Ephram

Definitely Love

the first time I saw you cradled

in your Mommy's arms, 

a radiant look of joy on her face

reminiscent of my joy the first moments

I held her close to my heart

28 years ago, where she always remains 

and now you are there too.

I kiss her and scoop you

up out of her arms, holding my breath

as tears come to my eyes and I

think, no I know, that I will

never be the same
for seeing your face changes me. 

You remind me of your Daddy, a man I love

as a son, and your sister, my first
grandchild who now 

gives you hugs and kisses.

When I hold you, rocking you

back and forth, back and forth

singing hush little baby

the hush is my own as your 

sleeping body fits snugly over

my left breast, your tiny head in

the hollow of my neck

and all of life becomes clear

in the breathing we do together.

Your name means fruitful. God is my strength.

And I get a glimpse of you,

a faithful gardener, bringing forth fruit

apples and oranges and pears

heavy on the trees you plant with your

cries and in between, your silences.

Your heart is full of seeds.

The planting has already begun.

FaceTime

My morning usually begins with the familiar and welcome sound of FaceTime ringing on my ipad. Within seconds, after touching the accept button, I see...connecting... connecting, and there, in seconds, appears this sweet face.

Harper turned a delightful 2 years old on June 30th.

This morning I brought up the topic of "free range parenting" with Amber, a new term I recently heard. We chatted as I watched my granddaughter in almost constant motion. Having raised six kids myself I chuckle at all these new ways to describe parenting, and Amber and I laughed at the idea of defining yourself with such a term. I liked her definition of parenting:

Survival parenting.

I completely agreed.

Meanwhile, Harper continued to freely roam the living room, the kitchen, and her bedroom. Her Mommy and I following along as she wondered.

And as I watched a couple videos Amber sent me later of Harper repeating her ABCs, cooperating for a few letters, stopping when she'd had enough, I know what her choice is. Definitely.

It's free range all the way. She is Batman, after all.

Can't imagine a better way to start each day!