Women think like a fast moving highway and men think like a slow country road.

I cannot remember where I heard this so I cannot take credit, but it defines our family conversation at the table. 

Here was the fast moving highway.

Dinner conversation tonight:

•  Summer vacation
• Zits
• Grace’s Birthday (relevant because it is tomorrow)
• Yippee Cayai – said  by Grace after discussing beef in the Wild West
• Music and instruments
• Vocal Lessons
• Food for Grace’s birthday party
• Track and a relay race

 But the slow country road is thinking about the middle child who has her 12^th birthday. 

This is the girl who was born in the midst of our biggest trial of life, the death of Grandpa.  Grace was born May 20^th, 1997.  Days after Grace’s birth, Stephen’s dad was experiencing night sweats and fevers.  He had come to our home to help us care for our new baby and Julia who had turned 2 years old. 

 Grandpa

After retiring as an engineer from the phone company, Cleo Jones (aka Grandpa) returned to school to become a nurse. He was a man’s man but sappy too.  He loved babies, flowers and music. He was romantic to his wife (my mother-in-law) an awesome cook and the best Grandpa around.

Highly qualified to care for my newborn, Cleo had come to help me with my daughters. He stood outside my hospital door while I gave birth to Grace.  As soon as she was born, I heard him holler with excitement. 

Later that morning, he brought my daughter Julia in to see her new sister.  He was such a sweet Grandpa.

The day I came home from the hospital with Grace, Cleo kept his distance.  He was fevering.  He was worried he had something the baby would catch.  I didn’t think much of it.

Days later, he went home and went to the doctor.  The doctor instantly admitted Cleo into the hospital.  Cleo was diagnosed with cancer and given 3 months to live.  6 weeks later he died.  The greatest Grandpa in the world just left my baby girls! 

The first few months of Gracie’s life were a bit of a blur to me.  She was my snuggle baby; my comfort in sadness.  Her name fits her well.

 It’s hard to believe her birth was 12 years ago.  So much has taken place, but the one thing I love about this girl is that the compassion in her is still her greatest strength.  She loves to cuddle and she is great at comforting those who hurt.  God set her up at a young age to comfort those that mourn and I believe she displays an unusual gift for this.

 Happy Birthday Sweet Grace!