The longer two people are married, the more this sign means. A couple just beginning a life together can't imagine what the future holds. It becomes more and more evident with the passing of life events.
We have been blessed to see our three children accomplish much as they grew. We have been overjoyed to welcome three more children to our family as they wed. We have been overwhelmed with emotions at the birth of seven beautiful grandchildren. We have been honored to see them succeed in their chosen occupations. And with each step they take, we are pleased to be a part of their lives.
We have also had our sorrows and sadness on occasion. There are many, but none as devastating as the death of our oldest grandchild at eighteen. It is a pain we carry with us every day. We don't talk to others about it much, partly because it is a private pain and partly because it hurts too much. We prefer to remember and share the happy times. Those memories are the ones to hold on to.
Today, I have a new file of memories to help me through the difficult times. Last week was filled with as many memory-making moments as we could pile into it. The end of the week was the icing on the cake.
One of our sons that came to us during his college year graduated with an MBA. It had been two tough years for him and his family. The smile on his face was rewarding to see as was the pride and happiness of his wife and three boys.
The next day, we shared the day with family and friends at the Asian Festival where our eight year old granddaughter was crowned Little Miss Asia. More big smiles. More hugs. More celebrating.
That evening, we shared a meal to celebrate Mother's Day. I had received my gift on Thursday. It is a most precious and perfect gift of a charm bracelet with a charm representing each of my grandchildren. I don't know who selected the one for the oldest but it is perfect. Each of the other grandchildren (ages 15, 8, 8, 6, 6, 5) chose their own. It puts a smile on my face every time I look at because it brings back the memories I have of each of these precious people.
Who would have thought that 43 years ago all this would have happened because two people fell in love? Certainly not me. I thought I dreamed big, but life has far surpassed my dreams.
