Memories made

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We made new memories last Saturday.

Somehow we found a day when everyone could get together to make Christmas cookies. We were three generations in a place that has been my family's home for at least that long, and all was right in the world. Mom was having a good day and was energized with all of her family at home. KU won a big basketball game earlier in the day making everyone, especially my Dad, happy. The girls made cookies while the boys played basketball on an especially warm December afternoon. Our cookies weren't Pinterest-worthy, but they were delicious.


Mom was much more interested in taking care of her newest granddaughter, 5 month-old Hartley Paige, than in helping decorate cookies. She lights up and is her happiest when around the baby. Hartley has this effect on all of us. Any hint of sadness gets snuffed out with her around. Baby smells, baby sounds, a touch of her soft skin, those big eyes smiling up at you - that's all a person needs to fill their soul and renew their spirit. Babies need a lot of attention and care - feeding, rocking, holding, changing, loving - you have to be right there in the moment with a baby in your midst. It's a good practice for all of us.

I'm grateful for baby Hartley and her presence in our lives for so many reasons. She doesn't know what a gift she is to us, but I plan to tell her when she's older. She's a lucky girl. She will carry her Gram's fierce, unconditional love with her always, just like the rest of us.


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