In a recent blog, “Grandma Maxine … Grandma Deb,” I shared the emotional experience I am now having as a grandmother to our new grandson, “Quinn Emmanuel,” and how I desire to live up to the legacy that my mother had on our daughter, Samantha.
You have probably heard people say, don’t blink because before you know it, your little baby will have a baby of her own. I am here to confirm this as now all the memories and images of Samantha as a newborn, then a child, a teenager, a young adult, and then married and now a mother – are all flashing across my mind in warp speed.
The lyrics to “100 Years,” by Five For Fighting, which was played at Samantha’s high school graduation and then, again, at her wedding, brings me to tears every time. One stanza, “Fifteen, there’s still time for you, time to buy and time to lose, fifteen, there’s never a wish better than this, when you’ve only got one hundred years to live.” And, even now, tears are flooding down my face as I write this.
I wrote a poem, Ode to Samantha, on her first birthday and I dedicated it to parents and grandparents everywhere. It is a chapter in my book, “Chesed (Mercy) – A Jewish Woman’s Discovery of God’s Mercy.” I would like to share it with you.
Ode To Samantha
It was a cold winter day, not that far, far away
But the world has changed so much
Since we first saw your face, knew the tender embrace
Of your body so sweet to the touch.
We wondered aloud, both within and without
Not knowing what might be in store
And each watchful hour, both waking and sleeping
In God our hearts did implore.
There’s life so sublime, with no question of time
Or fear when your heart knows we’re near
For the love that we give is the life you now live
Sweet Samantha, our daughter so dear.
Now the days have gone by, like the stars in the sky
We wish for your world nothing more
Than the time in your life of no envy or strife
Only love filled with wonder
To treasure and ponder
A gift and a world filled with awe.
Your eyes tell the story of newness and glory
Your weight grows one ounce at a time
But there is no measure of a heart filled with pleasure
By loving and trusting so blind.
I think of the days when we just knew your name
And we waited to watch you unfold
You’ve grown now so fast, your first year has passed
To forever remember and hold.
It’s a jump start I’m told, to let you out in the cold
To a world known for love tossed aside
But we’ll have to be bold and let you grow old
With love and with God as your guide.
For in trusting we know
It’s in His love we grow
And in Him only love can abide.
I hope you have enjoyed this blog and that you will check out
my podcasts, “Passion and Purpose,” and my YouTube
channel, “Life, Love and Spirituality”. The YouTube link and
links to my instagram and facebook page are at the bottom
of my home page on my website hisloveenduresforever.net.