Simultaneously

Three days before our first grandbaby is due, our youngest daughter graduates from college.
Our family tends to do things this way.
We had two weddings, two weeks apart, almost two years ago.
This just seems to be typical for us.

I am praying that each event has its own special day.
I had all my children early, so I wonder if my daughter will, as well.
It will be so nice to sit at our daughter’s graduation in peace.
It will be so nice to have nothing else on our mind but celebrating her graduation milestone.

This particular daughter has sat through the graduations of her four siblings.
She has sat through their high school and college graduations.
She has even sat through her sister’s graduation when she received her Masters in Education.
She also sat through her brother’s graduation from law school.

Now it is her turn.
All of her siblings were at her high school graduation.
It was assumed that they would all be at her college graduation.
No one thought about a baby’s due date being around the same time, but God knew.

I know that God hears my prayers.
I have said, in all seriousness, that this daughter needs confetti and cow bells.
We have used cow bells at various graduations.
We have even used air horns.

Our son, who is now a lawyer, wanted to be in charge of the air horn.
It was his sister’s college graduation, the same sister that is expecting her first baby.
He did not think he needed to try the air horn first.
He did not want to make that loud sound prematurely.

We followed along in the graduation program.
My son was ready.
He and his brother walked away from the people a bit so as not to sound it in their ears.
We watched him hold the air horn in the air, waiting patiently for her name to be called.

The graduate before her walked on the stage.
He was ready.
Her name was called.
He pushed the button but no sound came out of the air horn.

When the next name was called, the air horn sounded perfectly.
His siblings have never let him live that moment down, in good fun, of course.
Now, it is our youngest daughter’s turn.
It is her time to be celebrated.

God is sovereign.
God will determine when this baby is to be born.
I have prayed.
How I have prayed.

We had to bring something to our daughter and her husband the other day.
They were still at church, so we left the item in their garage.
As my husband passed our daughter’s car in the garage, he saw the car seat.
Our son-in-love put the car seat in the car already and sent us all a picture.

It’s getting real, the caption said.
And the family rejoices.
I looked at my husband as he looked at the car seat.
His voice cracked a bit as he said something to me.

I did not call attention to it at the time.
I saw the emotion.
It is getting real.
The next generation will be here soon.

I asked him later if he thought about the legacy that he began.
He is the father of five children.
Now his children are beginning to have children.
The family grows and when our sons have children, his name continues.

He said that he did not think about it the way I just described.
That was an honest answer.
What I described was my way of thinking about what is going to happen.
My husband saw that car seat and all he saw was memories.

He saw himself putting the car seat in the car for our first daughter.
He saw himself putting together the crib and dressing table for the nursery.
He saw himself driving me to the hospital five times as he tried to drive the speed limit.
He saw himself putting our first little baby in the car seat as we were about to drive her home.

He may not describe things the way I do, but that is just fine.
His memories run deep.
It was his provision through the years that allowed me to be home with my children.
It was his provision and ability that enabled five children to graduate from college.

I am so grateful.
The college graduation and the first grandbaby are happening simultaneously.
One is the end of something.
One is the beginning.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.
(Ecclesiastes 3:1)

I know that God will work out the timing of everything.
God is in control.
I will have my moments of wistfulness; I already have.
I will have my moments of joy, the kind of joy that comes from deep down in my heart.

Each subsequent grandchild that God gives us will be cherished.
There is nothing more special about one child over the other.
However, this first grandbaby begins a new chapter.
God is continuing what He began in our lives.

Of course, I am praying about the timing.
Of course, I pray that each blessed event stands alone.
Mostly, I pray that my grandbaby comes to faith early in life.
I pray that he or she will love the Lord above all else.

I pray for my daughter as she graduates and embarks on the journey God has for her.
It is an uncertain but exciting time.
That’s the way it should be.
Only One knows the path He wants our lives to take.

From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth, and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. (Acts 17:26)

God determines.
We can rest easy.
He has everything under control.
Absolutely everything.

2 responses to “Simultaneously”

1. Gina beautifully said it touched my heart. Enjoy each moment they are precious.
   I know you and Michael are going to love your grandchildren well. It is so much fun.
   Enjoy Molly’s graduation.

   Reply

   • Thank you, Carol! We are so excited. We can take grandparent lessons from you and Jay! Each event is such a blessing. Miss you, friend!
     Gina

     Reply