# 470 - Today I am a GRANDMA!

Okay, today, September 1, 2013, is the day that the Lord blessed me with another title that speaks volumes. Today, I have officially become a GRANDMA! My oldest daughter, Heather, has graced me with a grand-daughter, Coraline Fay.

Here is Heather as she is feeling contractions, the day before she gives birth.
Immediately, I know she's got that "look" on her face that indicates
the baby is probably on the way...for real. She's a trooper.

My grand-daughter's middle name, Fay, is in honor of my mother. Actually Coraline will make four generations of women in our family who have carried the name "Faye," which is a beautiful Southern name.

My great-grandmother was Lola Faye.
My grandmother was Laura Fay (without the "e).
My mother was Shelley Faye.
And now, my grand-daughter is named Coraline Fay.

My mother would share in our delight!

Since Heather was raised in a bay community outside of Galveston Island, well, she actually spent a great deal of time on Galveston Island, she has designed Coraline's baby room in a retro-nautical theme. The room is beautiful.

At 45 years of age, I feel as if I am at a great age to begin having fun as a grandparent. My husband will be a "Pappy" and I might be a "Maw-Maw" or a "Mi-Mi."

Of course, I feel as if I am one of those people who was born to be a grandma. It will be great to have a baby in the family, again. It's been over seven years since we had a baby in the family with the birth of my niece, Shaye.

And I am thinking of when Heather came into my life --- she changed my life in beautiful ways. I was always such a happy person, full of thanksgiving for my every little blessing, but giving birth to Heather expanded the beauty of this world for me as respect for motherhood hit me hard.

Me and Heather, in our apartment in Germany.

Heather has been looking forward to being a mom. Wisdom that can only be found as a parent is about to be hers as she goes through life as a mom. Being a mom opens the path to a different way of thinking and feeling and existing.

My daughter will learn about all the ups and downs that come with parenting. My suggestion to her is to remember that your child grows an identity of their own, we mothers simply help them along the way. One day, you won't be tied to her so tightly, so be ready and savor these days of having a direct impact on her growth. Being involved and connected with your child and including regular teachings about the mercies, love and sacrifices of Jesus, will boost Coraline toward steady and true paths which will produce a fulfilling life of her own.

To Henry, I suggest he would do well and his daughter even better if he never forgets that by treating the mother of his child with love and kindness, he will find it returned to him ten-fold. One of the best things a man can do for his child is to love the child's mother and never forget his behavior is in the most powerful spotlight of all --- which is the watching eyes of the children. Don't fail them; let right decisions and kindness be strength revealed, such fathers are indeed giants in the eyes of their children.