Happy 1st Birthday, Gavin James!

One. One year. On November 16, 2009, you entered this world and this Nanny’s heart. Actually, you had already found a place in my heart before you were born but once you arrived you filled that place up to overflowing. God smiled on me. He smiled on us.

So there I was. A grandmother at the age of 40. For nine long months I tried to prepare myself for this role. I listened to all of the grandparents who have gone before me and paved the way of grandparenthood. I tried to imagine it. But no words could adequately describe the wonder of a precious life entering this world that is part of you, part of your own.

Precious baby boy, you have brought joy to so very many lives. So full of personality. You steal hearts with that smile of yours. Nana says when you smile, your nose smiles, too. She’s right. It’s infectious. It helps off-set those moments of your wrath. You are a little man of great emotion—you get it honest. And we’ll take all of you. You are the little boy we never had, the brother Sophie never had. I pray that you and Sophie will always be close. I know she can be bossy but she loves you so much. It’s hard to believe that you two will possibly be in elementary school at the same time. One day you’ll be old enough to realize that just because she’s your aunt doesn’t mean she can tell you what to do. By then you’ll know that she bosses your mom around, too. And you’ll probably realize that she learned it from her other sister.

Though you don’t understand it all now, this very first year of yours has been one of changes and challenges. I cannot imagine how difficult it has been for your Daddy to be away from you for most of it. But when he was home on leave you knew who he was. The bond had been made. We are all so proud of him and know you will be, too. Your Mommy is protective of you. This has been an amazing year for her. Lots of changes and challenges with Daddy being away but your little smile helps her so much.

Gavin, of all the dreams I could dream for you, all the hopes I could I have, my desire—my prayer—is that you will know the One Who created you, the One Who died for you, the One Who loves you more than we do, and serve Him with all that you are. The gifts and talents you discover throughout the years are there for you to be used for Him. Nothing else matters. Nothing else will fulfill you. Serve Him and serve others.

For now, be a kid as long as you can. Don’t grow up too fast. Lay your little head on my shoulder and let Nanny sing you to sleep.

I love you, my little man!

Nanny

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

~Numbers 6:24-26

[youtube 032FsMMKWqM&feature]