What do you see?

Yesterday, I wrote about the love experience between me and my 3 month-old grandson, who steals your heart with little effort. He is so attentive to everything that surrounds him. He is such a positive influence in the lives of all that touch him. It was so cute to watch him observe his brother swimming. Just seeing the pool and all that water excited him visually. He brings such joy to life, waiting and eager to experience all that life has to offer.

Of course, it helped the big brother who was anxious to show off his new swimming skills, to know that his baby brother was looking on. I got a chuckle watching his red goggles, which seemed to need adjustment, often. Someday, he will be a fantastic swimmer. Seeing him in the pool brings back memories of another time, over thirty years ago, of his dad learning how to swim with his friends, in the same pool.

Luckily, he was getting a one-on-one, with the instructor, a skilled mom, observing each and every stroke, often giving him pointers, gently. She even has him singing twinkle, twinkle little star for his brother, while letting him go. Floating alone on his back, for just a bit, unaware, as he concentrates on his song. Of course, once he finds himself swimming alone, it's a different matter.

It is not everyday you find the kind of mother he has, as she makes sure he develops to a well-rounded young man. And, it can't be easy to accomplish all that she does with a nursing infant, husband, home and full-time -job commuting to Boston.

The importance of raising children in a loving family cannot be underestimated. It takes daily commitment, and reinforcement, tight scheduling, and more pep than I remember having. My mom used to say that she was very strict with the first child as the younger ones would be imitating them. So, we are sure that the baby will do just fine. If he is anything like his big brother, he will be every bit as successful.

The baby was very excited seeing the Christmas tree and all the lights everywhere, just like Nate did. Nate was thrilled to add his vehicles to the Christmas scene, with his red-pickup-truck centered, with a tree in the back. Other cars were parked near restaurant scenes, his favorite items were signs of Main Street, and the American flag. He promised that when he comes over to grandma's house, he will be playing with the setup some more. He learned to turn the lights on the village scenes "off and on" from the start, our little engineer, who has to know how everything works.

While rocking baby Ryan, he was so taken by the afghan on the back of the chair, which is yellow, orange and green granny squares, put together with black yarn. Color is his world right now, and I recall his brother doing the same thing at the same age. He is already fond of a little stuffed reindeer and all the fish located on his play-yard. At three months, he is trying to communicate with us, making sounds and laughing as he is amused by the experience, showing an expressive face, dimples and all. When he is not sucking on his "Binky" pacifier, he is chewing his hands, or blanket, which he moves up and down, proud of his achievement.

These are the same hands that like to pull on your earrings, especially the hoops, which he won't let go. Grandma knew better this time, forgetting the last time we were together. His brother did the same thing, which I had forgotten, and put them soundly away. Next, he'll be pulling my hair.

Life is surely different, than the time of Jesus and His birth in Bethlehem. There is little connection, but the love story will never change between family, then or now. It is said that the three kings arrived, following a star. A journey which took about two years. I wonder what the reaction of Jesus was upon seeing them and their gifts. Do you ever wonder about the whole event? This is a time of advent, preparation....and Wonder. Ponder on Love. Love is a gift, and He is the Gift that lasts for all eternity.

The Unexpected Surprise

Today was the day we decided to begin to decorate our home for Christmas. Not one but two trees, both totally different. We had decided to put up only one tree this year, but Nathan wanted grandma to put one up in our dining room, as well. If it were up to me, we probably would not have any. Now its not as bad as all that, it's just, well commercial. I've grown to love the real Christmas much more.

Was that the unexpected surprise, putting up our trees? No! During the week I found myself doing some cleaning and stumbled on the book which I had been faithfully reading for some time, only to discover that I had a place mark at the end, clearly indicating that I hadn't finished it. What a joy to finally do that today while Nathan watched one of his favorite movies.

All of you probably know by now that the title of the book is "Darcy's Passions," by Regina Jeffers. Early on, the acquaintance of Elizabeth and Darcy was one of question. It reads: "Each time as he swore to himself he would ignore Elizabeth, he found himself more enticed by her." He wanted to be in her presence where he could observe her, where he could listen to her conversation, and interact with her. "Darcy determined she flirted with him through the verbal assaults, and they worked remarkably."

The problem as I began to understand it, was class struggle. He came from wealth and she did not. "Yet, he found his diversion with Elizabeth Bennet to be an unanticipated pleasure." His thoughts seemed elsewhere and her flirtations of late increased in their intensity and duration. "The chaos of his mind had him hating himself for the turmoil such thoughts created." "All the old insecurities returned. Would he never be able to make her love him?" Especially hearing her say, "I hear such different accounts of you as puzzle me exceedingly..I have every reason to think ill of you..."

Darcy could force himself to be indifferent. Too late, it jumped from admiration to love and He found that he lost his taste for food, retiring early to his chambers. He lost focus and drink was his companion. "Darcy's love for her could not allow him to ignore her."

He became her "hero" because love finds a way, admiration turns to love. That is the story in a nutshell, except for the final scene on New Year's Eve, when Lizzy got sick because the men's clothing smelled of cigar smoke. She is forced to tell her husband the news of her pregnancy, not knowing if it would please him to become a father. The news is shared with the guests at the party and with the announcement of parenthood, the party took on a whole new level of enjoyment.

"God gives us blessings because of what we do for others." "You are more devout than I, but I have come to a new understanding of the infinite power of God since Elizabeth came into my life. I never knew such love of life." Then, Darcy's sister Georgiana makes this remark. "Did you know, Brother, the Greeks did not extol a man's accomplishments upon his death?" "They simply asked one question of his family and friends: did he live his life with undying passion?"

Darcy offered a toast to Elizabeth. "To my wife, Elizabeth Bennett Darcy, a woman of unexpected wit, a devotion to her family, silent courage, and strength combined with innocence and sweetness--I learned from you how to be a brother, a man, and a husband. Soon I will learn to be a father. You are the love of my life."

Real love is the light that never flickers out. It is the unexpected Surprise. This Christmas, give the gift that keeps on giving, the gift of Love.