On Grandparenting

I never pictured myself as ever being a grandparent, but there I was last Sunday at the end of worship, proudly announcing the birth of my first grandson, Moses Lee, who was born on Saturday in Nashville. We got to see him on Monday, and he and his parents are doing well, as is his big sister, though she's still trying to figure out how she got dethroned so suddenly.

You would think that after four grandchildren, I would have figured out this grandparenting thing by now, but I'm still learning. It was hard enough coming up with a grandfather name for me, and I'm not sure it's settled even yet. My oldest granddaughter, who is 19 months old, calls me some version of "Bob," in her best attempt at "Papi," the name we thought we had settled on after much dispute. My wife prefers to call me "Grumpy," and one of our fine friends from Shelby Crossings even embroidered a grandparents' diaper bag for us with that name on the side.

Anyway you look at it, I'm already a very proud Papi, and can't wait to watch my children raise their children, while I'll be laughing all the way. With that in mind, here's a little something I received a few months back, via email, that I had saved to share at an appropriate time. I guess the birth of baby Moses is as good a time as any. It doesn't have any grand spiritual lessons--though there are a few subtle ones--but I hope you enjoy it anyway.

Grandparents as Defined by Children

~ Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little children of her own. They like other people's.

~ A grandfather is a man grandmother.

~ Grandparents don't have to do anything except be there when we come to see them. They are so old they shouldn't play hard or run. It is good if they drive us to the store and have lots of quarters for us.

~ They don't say, "Hurry up."

~ Usually grandmothers are fat, but not too fat to tie your shoes.

~ They wear glasses and funny underwear.

~ Grandparents don't have to be smart.

~ Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don't have television, because they are the only grown-ups who like to spend time with us.

~ They know we should have snack-time before bedtime.

~ They kiss us even when we've acted bad.

I'm praying for you, as I trust you are for me, and I look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

--Pastor Ken

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