The Day Vivi was Born

  June 19, 2014 

Today it is a pleasant 85-90 degree day outside, a Thursday,  in a year where the summer has been slow to find it’s legs.  And that is fine with everyone around here.  But this day will never be remembered for the weather, or for the politics of the day, or for the win or loss from the pool games tonight, but today will be remembered because our loving God blessed us again with the wonderful entrance of Vivi into the world. We woke up to the news that the mom’s contractions were getting underway so, right away, we knew this was going to be a big day.

Grandkids are great.  Vivi is the 2^nd in our family.  Levi was 1^st and came into our world 1.5 years ago and what a joy it is to have him visit.  His little face lights up and that big smiles jumps out when Mimi walks into the room, and that is enough to move him to the top of the priority list in the life of Mimi.  But now Levi has a cousin. And Mimi has a 2^nd grandbaby.  I guarantee you Mimi will be able to spoil them equally and without partiality.  

The day Vivi was born was a day Mimi fell completely head over heels, and realized Vivi is a person who can make her heart swell by simply opening her eyes and by laying so peacefully in her arms. This is without doubt one of the holiest days of  our lives.  I cannot have a day with something as grand as this and not at the same time bow in submission to the greatness of God.  I am amazed, in the truest meaning of that word. Just the miracle of it all. And just when you don't think you can't love a grandchild any more, you look at them, in all their beauty noticing something new that you hadn’t noticed before, and the blood rushes to your head, and the stomach drops out, and you fall deeper.  Someday Mimi will tell her all about the day she was born and how she got to be there and how privileged she felt to be invited to share in such a glorious moment...she will tell her how she had to leave to run to BabiesRUs to pick up something for her and the new mommy and the car battery died and she had to have someone jump the  battery...she will tell her all about how frustrating that was because she was so anxious to get back to her...she will tell her about spending the evening with her and all the family and how they all came out to celebrate her birthday.....she will tell her all about the day she fell in love with her completely  from her nose to her tippy toes.

 This year we, Mimi and I, turn 57 and 60, respectfully.  We are trying to live healthier.  We see the way things are going and hope we will be able to be around a while to enjoy these awesome days of grand parenting.

These days are valued more as a grandparent, more so than those parenting days. Now, you see, we know how brief the time is, we know and have seen how time flies, and we know to enjoy the day and the moment and not worry about tomorrow.  We know all so well how they grow up into smart, funny and opinionated people who will move on and leave the parents for college, or an adventure, or a husband or wife.  That is coming so soon.  But today is ours to enjoy the greatest blessing God gives.  Thank you Lord for Vivi, thank you for the blessing, and thank you Lord for this beautiful day you gave us to enjoy. We now know where the expression “pride and joy” came from. This perfect and healthy little 7lb 2oz girl, born at 1:10 p.m. June 19th 2014, wholly loved, fearfully and wonderfully made, Viviana, born to Jei and Adam Wise, is sure to be another of Mimi’s “pride and joys.”  And RiRi might share some of that as well.