Life's Circles Revisited

Kyra is my 4 year old grandaughter, but she is so much more. She is really a sweet little girl who talks to me as no child ever has. I guess when mine were growing up I didn't take enough time to listen. Even when the eldest grand(now 15)was this age I didn't have the time available that I do now. Kyra and I are buddies, sometimes co-conspirators in a plot to devour all of the world's cookies in a single night. We bake together, and snack together. We laugh and play and do some really silly things. We enjoy the same type of movies and especially cartoons, and we read books together. She went for her first mortorcycle ride this past fall. We had to wait until her feet would reach to sit up and her head fit the helmet. If nobody else is around we have chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk for breakfast with a banana for desert. I guess one could say my heart has been taken by her beautiful smile and the wonderful ways God has blessed her life. I was told a short time ago by a fairly new parent that we really only have about eighteen summers with a child. I pray it is more, but logical thinking tells me it can't be. Like my own sons and daughters these grands(9 now)must all grow up and move on to their own lives in the world. So, I shall take what time I can get with her and cherish every moment of her summers, and the rest of the seasons. When the first grand came around I was in shock for about three days. I wondered, "Do I get a cane, or cut my hair? What does a grandparent do?" Now I know. One of the sweetest sounds I have ever heard comes from my flesh and blood grands, "Papa, I love you." What else can I say? In Christ's Love, Preacher.