Eyes Wide Open

As I’ve mentioned before, I love song lyrics.  Some have a profound impact on me. In 1999 I was a busy mom running my 11 year old and 13 year old to practices and games. I was helping with homework and making sure chores were done and activities with friends were safe and appropriate. I was making meals, washing clothes, cleaning the house- all while working full time. I was busy with everyday life.

That same year Creed came out with their song, Eyes Wide Open. I was too busy to even notice it. Then, four and a half years ago- 12 years after it came out- that song hit me right in the heart.

“Well I just heard the news today
It seems my life is going to change
I close my eyes, begin to pray
Then tears of joy stream down my face”

Half way through 2011, I found out that I was to be a grandmother! My daughter and her husband were going to have a baby and I fell immediately, devastatingly, in love with my unborn grandchild.

“With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
Now everything has changed
I'll show you love
I'll show you everything”

Erin and Phil were with the Air Force and stationed in Alaska at the time.  I did not get to watch my granddaughter grow. I did not get to watch my daughter “grow”, either. Every few weeks Erin would send me a picture of her baby bump. That was the only way we could enjoy this journey together.

“I hope (s)he understands
That (s)he can take this life
And hold it by the hand
And (s)he can greet the world
With arms wide open...”

Life immediately slowed down for me.  My focus had shifted. I was determined that the distance between us would not be a factor.  I would make sure this baby girl knew her Grammy and Papa.  We used Face Time, Skype or Tango every day.  Erin and Phil would prop their phone up and let us just watch the baby sleep.  Not much time passed and soon they were putting the phone on the floor so that we could watch the baby roll around, scooch across her blanket, crawl, and finally, walk.  And she got to know us too. We sang songs to her and eventually with her.  I frequently videoed myself reading stories to her, then I would sent the book to them so that she could have the book and watch me read it to her at the same time. We watched our granddaughter develop and grow this way- through the internet. 

Baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph in the stable. The animals are out-
side. (Notice the eyelashes on the animal to the right.)
By Adalyn- age 3 years and 11 months.

This week my sweet Adalyn, my oldest grandchild, turns four!  Luckily, she and her family live only a few miles from us now.  That in itself is a true gift and blessing! Adalyn is a smart, sweet, caring, inquisitive girl.  She can draw unlike any child her age. (She asked me to show her how to draw eyelashes when she was 2 ½ years old.) She knows SO much and is a sponge for knowledge.  I continually try to find new things for her to think about and to try. She’s always up for the challenge. 

She was my game-changer. I’m a better person because she’s my granddaughter.

“With arms wide open
With arms wide open
I'll show you everything ...oh yeah
With arms wide open..wide open”

Happy fourth birthday, Adalyn! I love you!


Until next time, be good to yourself.
~Nadine