‘Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.’ ~1 Corinthians 13
We kicked off birthday week with frozen yogurt. Chocolate and vanilla with three toppings. Two sugary scoops is our norm, but it’s birthday week. And you only turn seven once.
Tucker, living smack dab in the middle of the childhood wonder years is so excited. ‘Grandma, did you go shopping for my birthday present yet?’ I glanced in the rear view mirror and saw Skylar’s eyes light up. Skylar is three and his mama had warned me that keeping birthday secrets was not his forte. I locked eyes with him and with my best telepathic, furrowed-brow stare reminded him of our big-boy talk earlier that day.
He bit his tongue and pulled back the words that were so ready to gush forth: ‘Yes Tucker! We did! We got you a….’
Tucker picked up on this secret rear view mirror communication and saw the look on his brother’s face. It is the look that all three year olds possess: I have all the power. Don’t mess with me!
Knowing his brother better than anyone else on the planet the birthday boy yelled, ‘Skylar, don’t tell me!’
Skylar looked up at my pleading eyes in that tiny mirror, dropped his shoulders and smiled. Catastrophe averted. T-man and I let out a sigh of relief. Who knows what secrets were divulged after I dropped them off at home. Optimist that I am, I drove away hoping that the secret stayed locked in that little blonde boy’s heart. I’m a dreamer, I know.
This is one of the most beautiful things about being a grandma. You are allowed to love-without-limits these future men, husbands, fathers, and at the end of a day of gut-giggles, spoiling (and really, did anyone ever die from grandparent over-indulgence?!) deep little-boy ponderings and games galore, you simply pull up, unload, and deposit them back into the loving care of their mom and dad.
I love this grandma gig. It’s all about the love.
The prayers of a grandma never turn off. Some of you know this. Throughout the daytime routine and the sometimes sleepless nights my heart communicates with the One who knows me the best and loves me the most.
This morning as I reflect on our sweet boy turning seven today, my heart and lips 
overflow with thanksgiving for this precious family. A mom and dad who laugh, love, train and play well. Two little men who have introduced me to a love I did not know existed before I met them.
Happy Birthday, Tucker! Today is your day. Enjoy seven. It is a wondrous year, little man.
Peace Through The Storm... 