Tonight we had supper with my sister and her family, Rita and her husband Andrew, her daughter Kelsey and her boyfriend Travis and her son’s daughter Ava. Ava is 5 years old, two years younger than my granddaughter Hailey.
I remember the first time I saw Ava. She was a baby being carried in her Grandfather’s arms at Dan and my wedding. She was so little. And Andrew so smitten with that small bundle.
I have seen this tender look before in the eyes of another man. I saw that soft sweet expression every time Dan was with Hailey. Both of these men held these small beings in their large hands. Smiling, as they hardly breathed. You could see their hearts open and overflowing in the presence of their granddaughters.
One of my favorite pictures was taken the day Hailey was born. Dan is holding her in his arms looking down on her tiny face. The light shimmers and reflects in his eyes as he holds this wondrous gift.
Andrew once told me that he loved to just watch Ava sleep, marveling at her tiny fingers and toes. I sat between my husband and Andrew tonight, I watched him gaze at his wife and granddaughter with affection and tenderness.
As I contemplate these scenes, my eyes grow misty. We are so lucky to know this kind of love. I know these little girls are blessed with the love of family. There is something quite wonderful about a grandchild.
Here’s to the love of grandparents. I often joke that when I married Dan I gained a daughter and a son, but best of all I got a granddaughter without having to raise her parents.
Using the Chronicling America site has been great fun. I discovered that the Weather Service has already celebrated 150 years. I learned how maps were made in previous years. I also learned that in 1888 dogs had to be licensed in Miles City, MT, my hometown. While talking to a friend about this site I learned that she has an original copy of the Daily Yellowstone Journal that once belonged to her mother-in-law. I hope your research uncovers equally interesting finds.
