Princess Mary Ruth has arrived!

Yesterday, I was on pins and needles.  The news of the pending birth of my first grandbaby was just too exciting and the fact that I could not be there was tugging at the heartstrings.  All grandparents want to be on hand during that time..I could not.  It was hard.  But, Joanna was a trooper and did a wonderful job with the loving help of Mark, their friend, Amy, and a crew of competent nurses and doctors.  Mary Ruth, the little princess, made her debut just about 9:42 in the evening of April 16th..the evening of Joanna's own birthday!  This has to be the ultimate of all birthday gifts!  A gift that can only come from God.  As I was looking at the pictures that my son sent to me, I daydreamed of holding the sweet child.  For now, though, I have to be content with photographs.

Mary Ruth..just minutes old and already a beauty!

It is amazing just how large of an impact such a tiny being can make in one's life.  Even though we are hundreds of miles apart and have never seen or touched each other, I am so in love with this little one.  This love will grow ever stronger with each coming day.  I look at the photographs and think of my son when he was this small. Time, indeed, does fly.  Even though I spent every day with my own children, it was not enough.  As a family, we played together, worked together, dreamed, giggled and cried together but most of all..we loved.  I miss those days. Children have a way of growing into adults and living their own lives.  If there is one piece of advice that I will give Mark and Joanna, it will be to spend as much time as possible with Mary Ruth.  Never put off until tomorrow that hug that you can give today.  Love her..as you can never love a child too much.  Enjoy her..as it will only be a blink of an eye before she is grown.  Cherish every moment. ~ Mary Ruth..the littlest princess in the family!