The Happy Birthday Party

Sunday afternoon we were greated by the "biggest" snowman on the front lawn of my son and his wife's home. Little things say a lot and somehow grandparents notice even the things that we didn't have time to see when our own children were being raised. It was the seventh birthday celebration of our oldest grandson and everyone was happy to be able to share in his joy. His mom worked hard as usual everything was well planned out. Food was great, decorations and games. There was the unexpected of course, like Ryan's temperature and cold. It should not have come as a surprise as colds are going around this time of year. It impressed me how daddy knows everything about child raising and worked right along with his wife to allow her to pull off the perfect party. Today, as my husband John was getting ready for work, we talked about the kids, as we often do, and he mentioned the "cup", again. What was not planned for and what was experienced was the kindness of little Ryan as he sat eating his meal after waking from his nap. Most kids just think of themselves. Ryan offered his grandfather and me, pizza and something to drink, (cup).  At two he is generous and loving, always thinking of other's before himself. He was not even feeling well. People don't even do that when they are. All went well except poor Nate lost a front tooth. It was kicked out by one of the kids at the party. Don't know if they ever found it. Must have, as the tooth fairy came during the night. John says "if it's going to happen, it's going to happen to Nate." Life if full of surprises, good and bad. It is made up of memories from the past and present, scrapbooks of events. And it scoots right by. Nate and his dad are making preparations for the Pinewood Derby. It was just yesterday when the boys were doing the same thing. But one thing is certain, as history repeats itself, when your greeted by a large snowman, you know that someone is happily playing with their children. Smiles are good and so are birthday parties, but mostly, families that love one another. And the care and love that they give them will be the kids greatest gift back to them in years to come.