Family having babies, babies, babies — true blessings
Sherry Young
It's raining babies in the Young family this year.
Tom started it. After moving out of Connecticut and finishing some time-consuming work and church responsibilities, he and wife Stacy felt they could finally "see daylight" and add another child to their three girls and one boy. They were excited at Thanksgiving to give us the news.
Fast forward to January. My husband, Grit, picked up the phone and was told to put on the speaker phone. They are expecting not one but two babies, twin boys. They both have lots of energy but we think they are just a bit, "deer in the headlights" on this one.
Steve called from Disney World in February. He and his family were there to film the annual Children's Miracle Network Broadcast. There is a room where the children can shake hands with Mickey Mouse. Barb, Steve's wife, had primed Mickey so he steered Steve to one side and Barb and the kids to the other. Then with Steve's full attention, he started pointing and numbering one, for Braedon, two for Jackson, three for Summer and, pointing at Barb's tummy, held up four. It was another speakerphone moment.
He and Barb then called Jim to say there was an epidemic, and sure enough, were told Jim and Shamberlin were having another child, their second.
On a roll, Steve called Mike and Shayne. Already having seven children ranging from 2 to 20, they said they'd pass on this family adventure.
These are no small events because grandchildren are both double love and double worry. All the love and concern I have for my children encompasses the love I have for their children. There are two layers of people to deal with and double the emotion.
Sometimes I look at them, knowing how deeply this automatic love goes and think, "Please oh please do not break my heart." I constantly pray that they may have the righteous desires of their hearts — that the follies of the world will not trap them.
In Orson Scott Card's book "Shadow of the Hegemon," protagonist Bean is given insight into life. He is trying to decide whether to support his power hungry brother Peter in his quest to become Hegemon. He asks of Mrs. Wiggin, "Conquering the world isn't a life?"
And the wise woman, using Alexander the Great as an example, advises him, "... you'll never draw a secure breath until you have grandchildren, a double handful of them, because then you know that your line won't die out, your influence will continue." Selfish, isn't it? Only it's not selfish, it's what life is for. It's the only thing that brings happiness, ever, to anyone. All the other things-victories, achievements, honors, causes — they bring only momentary flashes of pleasure. But binding yourself to another person and to the children you make together, that's life. And you can't do it if your life is centered on your ambitions. You'll never be happy. It will never be enough, even if you rule the world."
I think this idea runs broader than just having one's own children. It really encompasses the reality that building deep relationships and giving ourselves to others is what gives meaning to a life more than money or power or anything else we can do.
So the forecast for the Young family is babies, babies, babies. The best thing about it is I'm not the one who is pregnant but I get to love them all. Let it rain!
E-mail: sasyoung2@aol.com
Recent comments
And all those babies become T E E N A G E R S someday soon!
Realist! | May 6, 2008 at 8:44 p.m.
Wonderful article...I love the line, "double love and double...
K | May 5, 2008 at 9:39 a.m.
loved this refreshing article--we too are being rained on this year...
Joan | May 5, 2008 at 7:40 a.m.
