Being Grandpa is Great; Seeing My Daughter as Mom? Priceless

A year ago today, Debbie and I became first-time grandparents to Sydney Reagan Streett. Some of you met our daughter, Carolyn, through the article for GriefPerspectives she wrote several weeks later as she reflected on the grief of saying goodbye to her corporate career as she transitioned to the role she has loved: full time wife and mom.

Today, on Sydney's first birthday, Carolyn has reflected again on the amazing changes this year has brought. Since it made me cry to read it, I thought I would share it with all of you (with her permission, of course).

The days go slow, but the years go fast.

The sudden onset and escalation of preeclampsia that brought Sydney a month early, a year ago today, was not part of the plan. I’m forever grateful we had that extra month, though, because time is already flying.

Nothing could’ve prepared us for the adventure that started a year and 30 hours ago. Nothing could’ve prepared us for the endless nights—or the endless laughter. Nothing could’ve shown me a better glimpse of the Father’s love for us and the joy that is ours in Christ than the love and joy that was born into our lives in that hospital room at 5:04 a.m.

What they say is true—many of the days have crawled by, filled with nothing more than pediatrician visits, applause for the falls on her knees instead of her head, eating my own veggies to convince the tiny version of me to eat hers, stroller walks in the Texas heat and Texas cold, trying to catch up on missed sleep at 2 p.m. and mostly failing. But these are the things I’m so glad I didn’t miss, because they’re the moments when I’ve gotten to know the beautiful heart God gave our daughter. And these slowest of days have added up to the best of years.

Happy first birthday, Sydney!

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