Celebrations

Saturday we celebrated another milestone for another grandchild -- Wilson turned two years old on the 12th of August.  His greatgrandfather on his mother's side turned 81 on August 14, so we had a combined party for people that were 79 years apart -- less two days -- in age!  Opting to hold the party so Wilson's greatgrandparents didn't have to drive meant having it at the senior retirement center where they live in Raleigh.  Earlier in the day, Bob and I had shopped for the birthday boy, choosing pajamas and a large wagon that could dump its contents and which also came with building blocks.  Knowing full well that Cooper, who is Wilson's cousin and older by five months, would be playing with the same toys as they spend hours together every day, we could envision the fun the boys would have with that wagon.  We only hope that it can withstand their rough play! 

So with much anticipation, Bob and I pulled ourselves away from yard and house work (which can always wait until another time) and drove to Raleigh, where we met all the extended family in a room that was too small to accomodate everyone.  Notwithstanding the fact that there were four toddlers running around and three greatgrandparents in attendance, everyone managed to squeeze and shuffle around the huge table in the center of the room as camers flashed, the cake (which was made by Wilson's dad's mother and looked like a baseball -- too cute!) was cut, the traditional song sung, and presents were opened.  Goodies were consumed at an alarming rate, and I'm pretty certain that the mothers of those toddlers had kids running on sugar highs for the rest of the day.  One of the workers at the facility obliged us and took a group shot of everyone, but I do think that a few managed to hide in the back behind everyone -- we'll have to take a closer look at the photo when it's downloaded to the computer to be sure -- and I do think that maneuver was intentional! 

At one point, the greatgrandfather celebrating his 81st birthday turned to my mother-in-law who is 87 and said, "You're the oldest one here, so you're responsible for this entire mess!"  What a hoot! 

A brief moment of panic ensued when Wilson's parents couldn't find him when things were breaking up.  After about three or four minutes of frantic searching, he was found with his Aunt Jill, taking things to the car.  A huge sigh of relief escaped everyone when he was found, and all was well.  As we said our goodbyes and got in our car for the trip home, I again realized how important family is -- that's what life is all about, really.  We'd recently celebrated the birthdays of my son's two children, Niland and Ben, born 2 years and 1 day apart, and even though Wilson is my husband's blood grandchild, he's still part of my family.  Every family weaves its own tapestry, sings its own song, and dances its own dance; no two are identical, and it's that uniqueness that makes each and every one special.  God invented the family and established it as the backbone of any society, and we must do everything we can to promote its well-being, protect it, defend it, and participate in it for the sake of our children and grandchildren.  I can assure you that life passes all too quickly and that, even though you may be young now, you'll be my age before you know it and your children will be grown with children of their own.  So let's all make a point to celebrate the family, to celebrate life, and to celebrate every success and every milestone.  God came so that we might have life and have it more abundantly, and that means that we are to live it to the fullest that we can through him by enjoying all that he's given us -- and family is a gift from God.  Go ahead -- celebrate!