Milestones

What a Week -

In the span of 5 days we have 3 family members reaching significant milestones...

Our youngest grandchild, beautiful Alexis Collins Richards, reached her 1st birthday yesterday. As she is the true 'baby' in the family, we are reluctant to let go of her infancy and yet marvel at her achievements, giggles, kisses, and words 'nigh-nigh' as she waves on her way to bed. Through these days and all those to come, I thank God for the blessings that are our grandchildren.

Our youngest son, Christopher Scott Wiren, with the ticking of the clock, leaves his childhood behind...shedding its outgrown attire for the new, better-fitting wardrobe of the teenager. He is such an interesting, fun, smart, and kind young man. The years leading to this point have been filled with joy...almost as bright as his smile when he shares a vision he stored in his mind and relays in gread detail to anyone who will listen. Almost as bright as the sparkle in his eye when he's being mischievous or enjoying something witty or funny. Words are inadequate, but through these days and all those to come, I thank God for the blessings that are our children.

Our middle daughter, Elisa Kiley Wiren Richards, beautiful in every way, turns 25 this week. She's shrugging off the last lingering bits of the teenager without losing her sense of fun. Easily fitting are the coats of Wife, Mother, Career Woman, Deans-List Student, Daughter, Sister. That's not to say she won't pull out the old prom gown to see if it still fits (and it does), or pulls out the high school yearbook, only to marvel at how far she's come since then. She's on a road that is difficult, to say the least...then again, she knows that taking the easy route rarely gets you where you want to go. The days are long yet the hours too few, the responsibilities great, but the reward...priceless. She's chosen an excellent partner to travel with and they make the load lighter for each other. Just keep going a bit longer and the view is Spectacular! With a mental slideshow playing; snippets of the days and times gone by, while looking forward to the ones still to come, I thank God for the blessings that are our cihldren.

For the blessings that are my life.

Thank You, Lord...