I love Sundays. I love going to bed Saturday night with the expectation that when I wake up it will be Sunday. I love teaching Sunday School to my kindergarten kids. I love singing in the worship service. I love listening to my pastor preach. I like visiting with my friends and hearing about their week. I love coming home after church - having soup of some kind - reading and napping on the couch - going for a walk - maybe watch some golf or football. It’s leisurely. It’s a day of rest. It’s a day of celebration.

Three years ago - my son, Peter, and his wife - made the huge decision to move their family from the James Bay area to southern Ontario. Both Heather and Pete are in education and were hoping to move to a small community where their children would have new opportunities in education and athletics and the arts. Pete began applying at different school boards and lo and behold - accepted a position with the Blue Water School Board. Not only the Blue Water Board - but right here in Kincardine. They moved here two summers ago.

Never in my wild imagination did I ever think that one of my sons and his family would live in the same community as I did. Travelling to their homes and towns was always part of my experience and I loved visiting them.

It’s pretty great to share life together - including - attending the same church. I teach in the Harbour Kid’s Sunday program - sometimes - my grand daughters are in my class. I sit beside my teenaged grandsons in the services - loving that we are worshipping together. I’m the one who passes out the mints or candy just as the sermon begins.

I’m not sure exactly when it happened but it was soon after the Kin J’s arrived in town. After church on Sunday - I would asked this question.

Indigo - “Can I come home with you Grammie?”

Me - “Absolutely!”

And so it began. Most Sundays Indigo comes home for lunch with Harv and I and spends the afternoon.

Noodles - olives - pickles - red pepper slices - white milk - cookies - for lunch. The menu rarely changes except for maybe - chicken nuggets as well. Indy puts on her play list. We play a game or two. We watch a movie. We go to the park. We enjoy the hot tub. Then I take her home.

It reminds me of the days I had lunch at my Gramma Castle’s when I was a little girl. My grandmother loved music and played the piano. We spent so much time together on “the bench” and she instilled the love of music in me. I also remember some of our conversations and I trust Indy will remember these precious times someday as well.

These are the things I pray Indy (and all my grand children) will remember - long after I am gone. These are the things I hope I am instilling in their lives…….for their hearts - that they will be filled for love for their family and their God - for their minds - that they will grow wise in all things - for their eyes - that they would see beauty all around them - for their mouths - that they would speak encouragement - for their ears - that they would discern truth - for their hands - that they would do good work - for their arms - that they would embrace the lonely and forgotten - for their legs - that they would always continue in times of trouble and never give up - for their feet - that they would carry good news - for their backs - that they would be strong always in times of difficulty.

Proverbs 17:6 - “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged.”

Psalm 128:6 “May you see your children’s children.”

Psalm 103:17-18 “But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children - to those who keep His covenant and remember to do His commandments.”

2 Timothy 1:5 “ I am reminded of your sincere faith - a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother - Lois - and your mother - Eunice - and now - dwells in you too.”

Clearly God smiles on the grandparent - grandchild relationship and that’s something I treasure.