This holiday season, we have so much to be thankful for! Our family has grown, and our hearts are overflowing with love and happiness.  We are full of holiday joy!

God has carried us through some extremely difficult times leading up to this point.  Now our family is rejoicing together for the beautiful little one God has blessed us with.

I have always known my heart carried such unconditional love for both of my daughters.  The love runs deep and wide, like the ocean waters.  Just when I didn’t think my heart could hold any more love, along came my precious and beautiful Grandson!

That September evening, my oldest daughter and son-in-law visited us for our Monday evening meal.  We get together more often, but Monday seemed to be the one day we all settled into for a weekday meal together at my house. They came over, we ate, laughed, and enjoyed each other’s company.  My daughter let me know when they arrived safely at home not realizing what the night held for them.  My husband and I went to bed with our hearts full after spending the evening with them right along with my youngest daughter.  Ah, such a sweet time we all had together.

Then …

I was awakened by my youngest daughter standing by my bedside with her sister on the phone.  For some reason, my phone did not ring when my oldest daughter called to say her water broke.

WHAT?!

Oh my!

I sprang to my feet, trying not to panic as this was the moment we had all been waiting for.

Fast forward to the hospital room where we were escorted to find my daughter and son-in-law wide-eyed and nervous yet so happy.  The moment had arrived when they would meet their precious little boy!

They wheeled my daughter away, and my husband and I sat praying for them.  Trying not to worry, yet knowing absolutely no peace until we received word from our son-in-law advising Mother and Baby were both doing well.  Oh, thank you, God, thank you!!  We would breathe a little easier now, but this mama’s heart was not going to be completely reassured until I laid eyes upon my daughter and my new grandson!  It seemed like forever before we were allowed back to see them in recovery.  When my son-in-law came to get me, I grabbed the only thing available at that moment – paper towels – as I knew I was going to cry.  I had no idea the impact laying eyes on them both for the first time after delivery would have on me, but I knew there would be some tears.

When I walked into the room, my sweet daughter was smiling so big and glowing as she held her newborn baby in her arms!  I was only two steps into the room when emotions swooped in, and I started sobbing almost uncontrollably at the sight.  It was tears of relief that they were both okay – better than okay, actually, they were both perfect – and tears of extreme joy!

My first grandchild!!  I thought surely my heart was going to burst wide open right there in the room.

It took me several minutes before I could get myself together enough to turn to face them again.  Then my daughter asked me to sit on the edge of the bed, and she placed the sweetest little angel in my arms!  I held him close to me and just prayed silently to myself, “Thank you, God,” as tears trickled down my cheeks yet again.

Yes, we have so very much to be thankful for this holiday season, and we are!!  We truly are!