Tag Archive for: grandad

One Step at a Time

On a New Years Day trip to Glasgow, we enjoyed taking our grandson out for a while.
It was a chilly one, but we all got dressed as warmly as we could.
We headed towards the park and had some fun there.
At one point, he walked towards the steps and Monic said “just let him go, he loves steps.”
And off he went.
He has only been walking a few weeks, so I watched with interest how he’d master 4 flights of stairs.

Stepping Up

Step by step, he’d pull himself up, one by one.
He was frequently distracted by small pebbles, and he’d stop and try and pick one up, but with his winter gloves on that proved tricky for him.
I was behind him the whole time, to support and steady him on his big adventure, ready to step in if needed.
And every now and again, he looked around just to make sure that I was there.
Making it to the top seemed to me that it was a long way for him to go.
It proved to be a little too much and I helped him complete his journey in his time of need.

Help on Hand

Reflecting this morning, I am so grateful for all who have been there for me in my time of need.
Sometimes as we set out on life’s big adventure, unexpected challenges, difficulties and distractions can arise that can test us in many ways, temporally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.
Adversity is often the refining fire that can strengthen us in so many ways, including our faith.
Rarely by removing the challenge, but by reminding us that we are not alone in it.
Looking back, I can see how often help has come at just the right moment for me.
Through family. Through friends. Through quiet acts of kindness and timely reassurance.
And, at times, through the unseen watchful care of a loving Heavenly Father.
“I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders… that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.” – Mosiah 24:14
As a new year begins, I’m grateful not just for the journeys we are invited to take, but for the help we are given along the way.
I am thankful too for the gentle reminder that when the climb becomes too much, there is always Someone close by, ready to steady us and help us home.
Who has helped steady you along the way?

Generations Rolling On

We had a lovely visit on Sunday from Megan and our grandson Oscar.
It was the first time I’d pushed a pram since our own kids were that age, more than twenty+ years ago!
I was a little rusty on the corners, but Oscar didn’t seem to mind… he spent most of the walk trying to eat the harness strap! 😅
He kept up a steady stream of gooing and gurgles all along the way, clearly he had a lot on his mind…!
We all responded in kind, of course – it was some serious baby banter!
We had quite the conversation… no one else could understand it, but it seemed very meaningful to all of us. 😆
The pram itself?
Let’s just say things have moved on a bit since our day.
Megan said choosing it felt like test-driving a car, with a showroom tour and all.
Suspension, sun visors, turning radius, cup holders, storage compartments etc
I was half-expecting it to come with heated handles, cruise control, and some kind of voice-activated nursery rhymes with flashing lights!
There’s something very special and heartwarming about these full-circle moments… doing the same thing, but in a different season of our life, with new hands holding ours.
And yes, Oscar also tried on Grandad’s hat… and somehow he made it look cooler than I ever did.
What’s something you’ve done again recently after decades — and how did it go?