Loving a child

Yesterday, Jennifer and I were chatting and she told me: "All i want is for him to know how much i love him and would do anything to make sure he's ok." (She was speaking of Talan, of course.) Only two weeks old and she feels so strongly what all of us parents feel. Its amazing, isn't it? How this little baby can make you feel things you never felt before? This little person who is so dependant upon you for everything. All you want to do it protect them and make them happy. Even when your children are grown and on their own, they no longer need your protection, they are no longer dependent upon you, the feeling is still there. And that feeling never diminishes, never goes away. You always want to protect them. You always try to do what you can to make them happy. And a parent's reward for the love they give to their children? Seeing them grow up to be successful, independent, loving and caring adults.

And then...........one of your children has a child of their own. Your grandchild. And all those feelings you had for your children suddenly come flooding back. But you have to step back just a bit, for although you want to do everything for your grandchild that you did for your children you have to realize that it is now your child's place and not yours. You are just there to offer all the love, all the support and all the advice you have to share. And you hope that how you loved and raised your children has given them a foundation for raising and loving their own children.