POETRY FRIDAY: My First Grandchild

My beautiful granddaughter arrived on Monday, and I have been on Cloud 9 ever since. She is perfect in every way. It's amazing how someone so tiny can change your life and your priorities.. The only heartbreak has been that she is still in NICU. I haven't been able to see her or hold her. Through my son's kindness, I've gotten to see lots of pictures and some videos of her.

Watching my son these past few days has been very emotional for me. He didn't leave his wife's side from Sunday afternoon until Wednesday when she was released from the hospital. Every day the two of them spend every possible moment in NICU caring for their baby girl.. He reads her stories and plays music for her while Mommy rocks her and tries to get her to nurse. When my son speaks of his daughter, the love in his voice is overwhelming. I'm so proud of both of them. They're already the most wonderful parents.

My First Grandchild

Not long ago
I sat in small room
with your mommy and daddy
watching your image
appear on a big white screen.

It was so exciting
to see the shape of your face
those chubby cheeks
long delicate fingers
and ten tiny toes.

You were a dream
in my heart—
waiting two more months
for your birth
seemed like an eternity.

But today,
my angel,
a surprise—
you arrived
six weeks early.

And I can’t wait
to hold you

to spoil you
to tell you stories

to watch you grow.

You are
my first thought
every morning
my first prayer
every night.

I'll love you forever
and I’m so grateful
God has given me you
Evelyn Marie—
My first grandchild.

My Son

You don't raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons,

they'll turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes.~

-Walter M. Schirra, Sr.

The picture you sent—
You cradling your newborn baby
in your strong muscular arms,
your blue eyes gazing down
into her tiny blue eyes,
brought me to tears.
I have never seen you so happy.

I want you to know
how very proud I am of
the man you have become.
and even though you are a daddy,
you will always be my baby.
My love and support
are with you always.