These days, when I've gone down to check on Chris and Paeton's
treehouse building in our back yard,
my mind has taken me back a number of years.
In November 2005 we visited our kids in Indonesia.
This is when we got to know Paeton.
Papa decided to use the visit to build a playhouse for the kids,
and with that, found out about Paeton's love for tools.
Day after day, he would crawl right inbetween Papa's legs and try to help.
When it was time for his nap, he went to sleep with a screw clasped tightly in his tiny fist.
And when it was time for us to go home,
we hoped we'd left a memory of us behind.
About five years later, we were back to visit them at a new location
and this time the guys decided to build a treehouse.
Paeton was there to watch every detail.
Again, it was such a great way to connect.
In the end, maybe it didn't help the good bye,
but there was something tangible to leave behind once more.
So this is where my thoughts have been ...
how is it, that now he is taller than I am
and buiding a treehouse with his dad for us
before they head back again.
I enjoy checking the progress
and he just grins at me.
Excitement mounts even in a Grandma, to see the thought put into this
and imagine the fun.
In the meantime, Paeton, maybe you know how happy we are
that we've been able to see you for an extended amount of time.
It's been an unexpected gift.
This week as you turn sixteen,
we can only imagine the last bend in the road to becoming an adult,
and we want you to know how proud we are of you!
Our prayers are with you in these unknown times,
and we will cheer you on to see God's very best for you.
Love, Papa and Grammy
7 comments:
He is such a handsome young man. Doesn't it warm your heart as you watch your older grands become young adults? We currently have our 18 year old grandson living with us (since graduation)to learn the trade of diesel injection repair from his grandpa. What a blessing it is to have him in our lives for this period of his life. It is especially hard for us grandparents when we see the world they are entering, but...God has been with us down through the ages and he will be with them.
What great a great play house and tree house you left behind and now you get to keep one! What a handsome young man. May God bless him and keep him always!
What awesome memories! And what a cool photographic record to have of his building projects with his dad and grandfather.
I love this story of tree houses and the memories they evoke. Your grandson is a handsome young man with a beautiful smile.
How special to have had Paeton helping with projects around your yard this summer! Love your memories of building 'playhouses' over the years. Happy birthday to your handsome grandson! You haven't likely celebrated his birthday 'in person' too often over the years.
This is a great story of “what goes around, comes around”. I’m sure the tree house will bring lots of smiles to your face and heart over the years to come.
This is a great story of tree house building! It must be so hard to think of them all heading back again. What "treehouses" does the future hold for this handsome young man?
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