Those gentle lessons

I had a busy morning yesterday and ran out of time to post here. I spent the day at the neighbourhood centre, presented a Frugal Home workshop in the morning and did a grant submission in the afternoon. Today we'll have Kerry, Sunny and Jamie here and after we all have lunch together, Kerry and Sunny will have some alone time together and Hanno and I will look after Jamie.

 Corn and barley bread rolls.

As well as having the family here, today will bring another wonderful event. The first pages of my book arrive in the mail.  "First pages" is the book after being typeset, so I'll see how it's been set out on the pages.  It's very exciting and I'll be able to share it will Hanno, Kerry and Sunny. The rest of the day will be tidying up around the house, some knitting and late in the afternoon, with Jamie, we'll flash back to the 1980s when we had babies in our home.

Back in those days when I had two babies just twelve months apart I was busy washing nappies, feeding and trying to keep up.  I expect this experience to be much calmer because that is how we are now. In the midst of all that work in their first few years, my babies taught me that being calm and maintaining a peaceful home paid off in many ways. I just love knowing there will be another baby born into our family soon and if we are asked to look after both babies so close in age, it will be just like those early days of Shane and Kerry. I think I might like that.

I am really enjoying being a grandma and on those days when I hold Jamie in my arms, I am reminded of the responsibility of all of us to raise children well. One of the things I love about the way we live now is our choice to do whatever we choose to do each day. If I could choose anything today, even those outlandish things that people often choose - like winning the lottery or flying to Paris, I would still be here today, holding my grandson close and cherishing those few precious hours we will have with him.

There is so much I hope to teach Jamie. Today will be the first time I'll walk with him in the garden, the first time I'll feed him and the first time I will read to him. Yes, I have baby books here already. :- ) This will be the beginning of a great adventure for the three of us - Hanno, Jamie and me. I sometimes think of what sort of world Jamie and his soon to be born cousin will grow up in. It scares me to think of it and knowing how much change has happened in my lifetime, I wonder what changes they will see. But here in our home, here in our backyard, where rainforest forms a half circle to embrace us, a creek flows by and a quiet one lane road leads to our front door, we will show these boys the joys of gardening, chooks, birds and worms, and so many other delights. We'll teach them how to plant a tree, to sow a seed and how to hold a chicken. I don't know how many major changes these boys will see in their lives, but I know this with absolute certainty, if they can grow food and raise chickens they will have the skills to live well.  Those gentle lessons begin today.