No boundaries

Sometimes you have to write when other matters seem more pressing. My week is running that way. On Friday, I'm headed to the fine state of Washington to meet my new grandson for the first time. Yes - he is healthy and beautiful - speaking from a new grandma's point of view.

But this week I have a few places that I need to submit to in a hurry. I won't be back on my computer for some time(I already amd mourning that loss despite my excitement). Good news today - a story I sent out about a special person was accepted! It means so much to me - a wonderful blessing - to see it in print and to have the ability to give this special lady a copy. The joy of writing knows no boundaries.

He's almost here!

At 12:30 today, my daughter went into the hospital to start the procedure to induce my first grandchild! Four hours later...I find myself wishing I could be by her side. This is her first time ever in the hospital - not counting an emergency room run when she was burning with a fever as a baby. Now that I think of it - maybe it is better I am across the country. But still the wait is long and I hate to be an annoying MIL and call every hour. Although it has been another hour...

Baby Blues

My writing has taken a back seat this week because I'm doing what every soon to be grandma does ...I'm waiting. Unfortunately I'm not doing it at my daughter's side - she's in Washington - I'm in Florida. Her mother-in-law and husband enjoy that privilege. Today is supposed to be our grandson's birthday. The doctor ordered my daughter to be induced but it seems she is low on the list of priorities because of a long list of other new mothers. So we wait.

When I awoke this morning and realized another part of me would soon appear on this earth - I was startled at the depth of my emotions. My daughter, who I always cared for, would soon understand the love I have showered on her for twenty three years. I'll also have a new role - that of grandma - and hopefully one I will grasp with energy and determination. I want to be the person my grandchild knows he can always call upon ... no matter what the situtuation. He'll always discover a fresh dose of love in my arms.

But now we wait...and pray.

What happened to the News?

Another disaster - the bridge collapse in Minnesota. Across America, millions of viewers glue themselves to the TV or Internet for updates on the catastrophe. Include me in that category. But this time - I find myself more cynical than before. By the second broadcast - the headlines look like the title of a movie - including sound bites that faintly remind me of music from "Gone from the Wind." If I watch long enough, by day two, I will have learned about every bridge disaster in recorded history, gained intimate knowledge about every local bridge in my state, met everyone in the entire country who remotely knew anyone who ever crossed the bridge, gained new bridge vocabulary and finally- if I didn't have a bridge phobia - I now know there is such a thing!
What happened to reporting the news and not turning it into the next Movie of the Week? I'm sure every reporter and anchor person has already packed their suitcases and caught the next flight to Minnesota. For the next week - we will see familiar faces from the 6:30 news posing in front of broken concrete and interviewing victims and their families who might wish to pull themselves through this awful time in their lives without all of America watching each emotion.
I am saddened when a disaster befalls our country. I chastise myself that my first reaction is toamake my tea and settle in front of the TV for live updates. My first reaction should be to gather my Bible, get on my knees and pray for the many lives hurt and lost. Will you join me?