The past few weeks have been filled with family time, sharing good times, laughter, old memories and new ones made. Getting together as a family for special days has always been a part of lives. We aren’t all together each time, but we are a family, nonetheless. Over time, families grow and start their own adventures through life, but they will always be alive in our thoughts and prayers. Each time we get together is like recharging our batteries for a while. Watching grandchildren become adults and begin their own lives is a treasure everyone should possess. There’s nothing like grandparenting. It’s like a second chance at parenting for us.

Today the house is empty except for the two of us. Each day is a gift for us and we thank Jesus for everyone He blesses. For us the family visits are like another gift. They can seem few and far between – because we have so much free time to think about it. Our hopes of hearing from them become is much like becoming children ourselves again. We grow to rely on them, lean on them, trust them, wait for them, long for them and need them as they once needed us. I guess that’s called the circle of life, but each circle leaves an empty spot when it’s gone.

Our oldest daughter and her oldest son came for a short visit last week. We packed a lot into two days – mostly talking about the future. I found this poem I’d written the year she and her family moved to a faraway state. Our other two other children and their families live closer so we get to see more of them, but each one of them were originally entrusted to us by God. The gift of family and the path you travel together in their younger years, will not be forgotten when they grow old too.

GOD BE WITH MY CHILDREN – Poetry by Kathy Boecher

The moments have turned into days, the days turn into years.
We’ve watched you grow. We’ve seen success and now there come the tears.
I know I should be happy for all that lies ahead.
A family together – a new life to start – united again in God’s strong arms –
so why do these tears I shed?
It’s so hard to say goodbye to a family you call your own.
When they were young and starting out, who would have ever known,
that some distant day they would leave and cut their path alone.
I know The Lord will be with them, but my heart is breaking inside.
Take care of them, Lord, protect and sustain and with them always abide.