Warmth in the Winter

I spoke of change and in my almost seven decades of life, I've had a glimpse at the ebb and flow of generations. Now that I understand how the young become the old and the old become memories, I wish I would have paid more attention to the stories of all my elders. I wish I would have taken the time to know my parents better, to have heard how my sets of grandparents happened to meet, what the trip across the ocean at age 19 was like. I wish I would have cared and known how each of my 32 cousins grew and prospered or didn't. I was third youngest of the 32 and I wouldn't know most of them if I met them on the street.

But luckily, now we have a family. When Bing and I became parents - a profound change came over us - powerful protective love entered our lives - nevermore would just us matter. Always our children would be forefront in our minds and in our hearts. And then came their little sprouts - oh the joy of seeing and being with that next generation! We had the first five grandchildren here to celebrate the new year and it warmed the cold cold winter. Love and laughter reigned and family felt so good. God, grant all families the wisdom to know that their unique family is precious.