>Another Set of Seasons

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Rich, Ayden, and Birthday Cake. April, 2009
My Favorite Holiday
My husband Rich celebrates his birthday tomorrow. Thus, today is my favorite holiday:
Rich Lagrand’s Birthday, Observed.
Our parents, children, and grandchildren will gather this afternoon. We’ll eat and reminisce through grace-colored glasses. We’ll pump love gas into the house.
Armed with washcloths, we’ll chase after children whose fingers have grown sticky, sweetly sticky, after sampling the icing on Papa Rich’s cake.
It seems to me that we held this celebration just a short while ago. Each year, the seasons spin faster past us. Our grandchildren grow even as new ones come along to claim the baby spot, each in turn. It may be that this year, one has outgrown the Frosting Test Crew and a younger one has met the age requirements to join that team.
The Frosting Test Crew membership requirements are mysterious to us, but no matter. Our grandchildren know the rules by heart.
I think of the sticky, sweet fingerprints we’ll find after they leave.
Destickifying Cadence. Chocolate Handprint on Wall. April, 2009
I’m tempted to leave them on the walls, sticky reminders of this sweet day.
Because the seasons spin faster past us each year.
Thank you, Father, for another year of Rich’s life. May the memories we build today be as sweet and as sticky as our little ones’ handprints.
6 Grandchildren are the crown of old men,
And the glory of sons is their fathers.
Proverbs 17:6 (NASB)