Noni the Great!

 A mother becomes a true grandmother the day she stops noticing the terrible things her children do because she is so enchanted with the wonderful things her grandchildren do.
Lois Wyse

Almost 9 years ago my mother became the smartest woman in the world - and in the same instant, ironically, all my age old, infamous adolescent sins were magically forgiven.  What earth shattering occurrence brought about these two sudden changes?  The birth of my first child, Claire Lynn.  In that moment I became a mother, and I realized a love and fear, a pride and utter confusion that completely overwhelmed me (and to be honest, still does!).  I was good for the first 3 days - primarily because we were still in the hospital and the neo-natal nurses did pretty much everything.  Then, they kicked us out, and sent my husband and I home with this new little person.  There were no instructions included, no hints as to how to proceed, and none of the nurses - not a single one of them - came home with us.

Noni with Calyn

My first phone call was to my mom.

I have always been close to both of my parents.  We've gone through what most families go through: We've struggled with our normal share of adolescent crappiness (that would be me) - the angst of re-understanding our relationship when both parties are now adults (that would be my parents), and the transformation that comes when suddenly, there are new little people in the family!  

Noni being crafty

One of my favorite things to do is to watch my children interact with my parents.  There is something magical about the relationship between a child and their grandparent - I think it shows the beauty of an indulgent love - it helps us catch yet another glimpse of how deeply our God cares for each of us!  

Our God loves us indulgently!  Our God forgives and forgives unceasingly.  Our God makes allowances and gives us second chances (and third, and fourth).  Our God sees past our messiness and sees the beautiful child of God under the dirt, and the peanut butter, and the sin.  Our God has an endless supply of hugs and stories, smiles and cheese crackers.  (Okay - I might have gone a little far with that last metaphor - but you get what I mean!)

Today, as I gather with my family to celebrate our Noni (the grandmother formerly known as 'my mom'), I thank God for the gift of my mom.  She has taught me how to always strive for excellence, how to actually finish something that I have begun, that you never quit worrying about your children, and that butter makes everything better.  And as I watch both of my parents shamelessly spoil my children, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that as good as today might be - the best is yet to come!  :)