As a grade-schooler, I was surprised to hear the comments of my grandparent’s peers.
“Bill reminds me of your kids when they were small.”
“He looks so much like _______.”
“Wow, his actions are a replay of _______.”
At the time I thought the observations were ones which could have been said of anyone of the kids I played with. While we looked like our parents, kids are kids. I believed I had more in common with my peers than I did with generations past.
As a grandparent, I have lost confidence in my youthful belief. While the influence of one’s generation is strong and often gives living context, it is not the only factor shaping how a child sees the world. As I watch videos of my two grandchildren, I see attitudes and patterns from both parents as well as aunts and uncles coming through their smiles, reactions, and choices. Looking back, I do not think I ever imagined what it would be like to step into and wear a grandparent’s shoes!
My observations from these shoes includes the following.
Every child is filled with more of their parents than anyone imagines. I can see echoes of mom and dad. They are ripples of laughter, loving, and relationship. With each connecting dot, I am called to look in the mirror and reflect on life’s threads which began in the generations before me.
Children discover, often in fresh ways, the lessons their parents took time to learn. When a parent laughs, embedded in the smile and wave of positive emotion is the recognition of their own discovery and the learning which followed. The first words, the first hit t-ball, and budding sibling love, echoes in the present through to the past.
Connecting in the moment is more important that what has already happened. Watching clips of someone transitioning from crawling to walking caused me to relive several tree climbs. In each, success did not come on the first attempt. Joy is found in trying.
For all ages, “enjoy your grandchildren. Peace to Israel!” (Psalm 128.6)
