The world changed recently. This grizzled-but-still-incorrigible-scribe is now an official grandpa! Anya Grace Blann was born Tuesday afternoon, at 1:05 p.m. She weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces, and measured 20 inches long.
Yet babies can’t really be measured in pounds and inches. You have to start with a heart’s desire—two longing hearts of the would-be parents, plus many equally empathetic hearts belonging to family and friends. Then count the words—wishes and prayers and whispered thoughts of encouragement and support. Add in the sleepless nights, lost dreams, and secret wishes. Don’t forget all the worries and fears and what-ifs that can make such hopes seem impossible. When you’ve tallied it up and reached your bottom line, then, and only then, do you have a newborn’s measurements.
Miracles happen every day. I held one Tuesday morning—a blue-eyed, blond-headed granddaughter, so innocent, so beautiful, so amazingly precious…between the joy and love, my proud ol’ heart nearly exploded! A sweet little blessing that has already enriched my life beyond measure.
And I can assure you—no baby ever arrived into this world more loved and welcomed than my beloved Anya Grace.
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24 comments:
What a beautiful young lady, Grizz! I trust her arrival puts to rest any lingering questions about the worth of your life's work. But for you, among others, the world would not be celebrating Anya Grace's arrival upon the world stage.
I will tell you this, my friend: I never expected to make such a big deal out of being a grandfather. Now that I have three grandchildren, however, I see things quite differently. I love these small ones immensely, and they bring a great deal of unexpected joy to my life. Part of it is knowing that these kids are counting on me to be there for as long as I can to celebrate the joyful hours of their lives. There is also something comforting about participating in the great evolution of life, in knowing as we face our own challenges late in life that there will be some piece of us that is just taking root and bending toward the sun. Somehow it makes me feel, to quote Julian of Norwich, that "all shall be well, and all matters of things shall be well."
Congratulations and best wishes to all!
George…
I take your thoughts to heart because I feel in their warm and elegant honesty the truth of real understanding—the living dichotomy of that grandchild in your arms which speaks of past and future, starting up and winding down, the eternal and the finite. Life is so precious.
It's funny how you think you know yourself. And then a little baby girl comes along and moves your world and you realize that personal insight you thought you had nailed was all wrong. Suddenly there's a whole layer of feelings and emotions bubbling up which you never knew existed. A fierce, profound joy that makes you want to weep and laugh at the same time.
Thank you, my friend, for your wise and gracious words.
Oh my goodness!! Congratulations!! I am so very happy for you and your growing family!! Beautiful! We are looking into the faces of God.
She is beautiful, your life will never be the same again, enjoy but do rest and get better.
Congratulations Grandpa!
Giggles…
I couldn't agree more—the goodness of God's love simply radiates from the sweet and innocent face of a child. Thank you.
Penny…
Thank you. You're right, this beautiful little baby girl has changed everything. I intend to love and enjoy her as long and much as I can…and I'm doing my best to get the leg healed.
Deb…
Thank you. Good to hear from you.
My dear friend and now Grandpa - I am thrilled beyond words as I revel in the miracle and joy of this blessing named "Anya Grace". y heart over flows with and for you, for you all who welcomed and now love this precious child. Amen.
Love Gail
peace.....
So very happy for you Grizz! What a beautiful baby girl!! Your delight and wonder at her safe arrival are palpable.
Lucky you ... the love, wonder, tenderness and gratitude will only grow as Anya Grace grows. Precious, miraculous times ahead for you, Grandpa Grizz.
Congratulations to the happy parents, too!
Gail…
Thank you so much for those heartfelt words. I know you send each and every one with joy and love. They—and you—are much appreciated.
Thanks for posting those beautiful photos...momma looks beautiful, too!
As Kahlil Gibran said in "The Prophet,"(taken out of the entire context, of course), "They(babies) are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself." ...a profound and beautiful thought, too.
I know you will always tell her there is nothing she cannot do. I imagine you will butt heads at times if she has
"the Irish," too! And you will let
her win,because you will spoil her!
Very happy for you all,
Momcat
Many congratulations, Grizz! Wonderful, this infectious joy.
Bonnie…
Thank you. I'm so glad to hear from you.
I do feel a bright new energy inside—happiness and delight, to be sure, but also true joy—plus the elated wonder of witnessing new life. Anya Grace's birth completes an amazing connectedness to past, present, and future which is—at its heart—the holy miracle of family. And I'm deeply aware of a fundamental truth…this beautiful little girl belongs to us—parents and grandparents, and all those who've gone before—she's part of who we are, were, and will be. Always. There's something both humbling and reassuring about that, and I'm so very grateful to be able to hold her in my arms and look into those blue, blue eyes and know that love prevails.
Momcat…
Anya is the anglicized form of Áine, an Irish name that comes from the old Gaelic. It means splendor, brilliance, radiance, delight, joy.
I have no doubt Anya Grace will be strong-minded. And you should have no doubt I intend to spoil her every way possible. :-)
Solitary…
Yes, indeed…joy and delight and wonder that sweeps through us more by the hour. Thank you.
I am amazed that she is smiling already, but then as her mother is such a smiling lady I suppose it is hardly surprising. She is certainly a beauty, as is her name.
Weaver…
Thank you. Her beauty comes from her mother, who was also a cute baby—not that I could ever be objective regarding either. But her smiles and good humor are certainly family traits, as my side of the family—particularly my mother's line—are genetically incapable of being too serious about anything for long, and have instead, always gone through life laughing and having fun. I expect Anya Grace will do exactly the same.
Dear Grandpa Scribe--congrats and congrats and congrats.
I know exactly whereof you speak--the waiting that we prospective grandparents endure. The lack of control we have over our own children deciding when to make us grandparents (though that, of course, is not their prime motivation). And the absolute delight upon seeing the "finished" product for the first time.
LOVE abounds--and much happiness is to follow.
I know you will enjoy every minute.
Congratulations!!! She is gorgeous!!
KGMom…
Please forgive my slowness in getting your comment posted. I've been trying to catch up on work from getting behind because of the leg injury. And now that I can gimp around a bit, we've torn out the bedroom closet and installing a new sub-floor, then I'm building a new closet and built-in bedframe and night stands across one wall. So we've been picking out materials and hauling stuff. I actually hadn't logged on here in a couple of days and didn't realize I had comments pending. I'm really sorry.
But my granddaughter joy hasn't abated—in fact, it grows daily. We get photo updates at least a couple of times per day. I made a stir fry and we took it over for the daughter and son-in-law Wednesday and I dandled the lovely wonderful Anya Grace while there. So yeah, I'm sure enjoying every minute, and intend to do so as much as possible.
Thank you for writing. Truly, love abounds!
Terri…
Please forgive me for not getting your comment up and replying sooner. As I told KGMom (above) I got busy and hadn't checked like I usually do. I'm very sorry.
I appreciate your congratulations and comments. She is a cute kid…though I expect every grandpa worthy of the title says and feels the same way about their own offspring's offspring. It is, of course, absolutely true in Anya Grace's case. :-)
Congratulations, Grizz! Your granddaughter and your daughter are both beautiful and the love you feel for them emanates right off the page! Enjoy your new life as "Grandpa."
Brenda…
Thank you…and yes, I certainly do love both my one and only smart and lovely daughter as well as my wonderful new grandbaby gal! Have no fear, I intend to enjoy them both every single minute I can manage.
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