When Ethen Comes to Visit

Last night, our oldest and only married son called to let us know he and his son would be stopping by for a 'change of venue'.  I had dinner going (leftover arroz con pollo and corn cake) and Carrie (my wife) was whisking her way home from work.  Hurriedly I set the table, having dinner ready when my lovely bride arrived home.  We had time to debrief her day and mine while the excitement of our guest's arrival warmed our hearts.

We are extremely fortunate, having our son, daughter-in-law and grandson, Ethen, living minutes away from us; And we recognize the blessing, in this time, of their proximity.  Nothing puts other activities on hold like being with Ethen.  A few months past a year in age, our extremely observant, visually and sonically curious, constantly in motion grandson warms our lives like a fire in the fireplace on a cold, damp rainy night.  His giggly laughter, toddling wanderings, and especially his hugs melt our hearts, like dark chocolate in a double boiler.  Our world richly revels with wonder when Carrie and I get moments with our grandson.

Bryce, our son, is an amazing man.  Relational, caring, a blessing from God to the lives of those he works with, his friends as well as to his mom and I.  He makes time to visit his grandpa and grandma (my dad and mom) who live a little more than an hour's drive away regularly.  As a teen he would visit them on his own frequently when my parents lived in town.  He is hard working, a man of character and integrity and a follower of Christ.  His wife, Melissa is the answer to our prayers for him and the most precious daughter we could ever ask for.  Her accounting prowess and sweet, tender heart (mixed with some feistiness) fill the gaps in Bryce's life and together they are remarkable.

Yes, the world around us, the cares, the darkness all vanish when Ethen comes to visit, or whenever we as a family are together.  And it is such blessing.  Nothing thaws this heart like a blazing fire in winter fireplace than being with my grandson.  When I request a hug from him and he comes toddling with open arms to be scooped up by his loving grandpa, it is heaven on earth.  When he lay his head on my shoulder in blessed confidence and trust, fully relaxing his entirety, my total focus, my whole being feels wrapped in love, all gift from a beautiful toddler's heart into mine.

I cherish the joy, the moments of sweet celebration when family is together.  Not only at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but anytime we spend time gathered, with any family member.  Yet in a world riddled with turmoil, stupidity, concern, hard times, selfish ambition and evil, all these melt, no vanish as nonexistent, when Ethen comes to visit.  Scant on earth is the perfect, flawless diamond of joy shining in the eyes of this grandpa when Ethen comes to visit.