They ain't heavy, they're my babies

February 19, 2006


Julia - 51
Padsdena, CA
3 children - (33), (30), (21)
5 grandchildren -(10), (7), (4), twin boys (deceased)

My baby just turned 21 on Friday, Feb 17, and it made me take a long hard look at the years when all of my children were growing up. There have been ups and downs, as in any family; disappointment for sure, but the joys far outweighed the disappointments. I truly believe that trials and tribulations make a family stronger. Especially if your perspectives are in the right place and there is unconditional love and commitment.

I have always known that my children have been my saving grace, and no matter how bad things looked, there has never been a time when I regretted having them. Oh! I would have liked a little vacation away from them (which I took as often as possible) or to run away for the day, but for the most part I can truly say that I enjoyed raising my children. They helped to keep my priorities in order, and to realize that at this particular season of my life that it wasn’t about me, but about them.

I thank God that he has blessed me with the love, wisdom, strength and courage to be the best mother I could be in the face of my wonderful blessing. There are things that I wish I could have done differently - most definitely - but there were lessons learned, even in those things I thought were failures on my part.

My children are all very unique and different in their own rights, yet my love for them is unconditional and unwavering. They are all trotting their own paths in life, and I trust God that He will continue to work a good work in them, never give them peace in sin, and that they will love Him with all their hearts. My constant prayer is that they realize and know that “They can do all things through Christ that strengthens them”, and that He has a wonderful plan for their lives; as men and women, son and daughters, sisters and brothers, husbands and wives. I pray that they realize the value of the relationships with the people God places in their lives and to know that there is a lesson to be learned from those relationships. That they to will know the joys of being parents to the fullest.

And God has now so graciously given me 3 wonderful grandchildren to love and nurture. I know that Niem and Nasir are watching over their Nani from heaven. Thank you Lord for the brief precious moment I had with them.

I watch in amazement at the wonderful job my children are doing as parents. Their parenting skills may differ in ways, but I thank God that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the love that I gave my children continues to flow to my grandchildren, unconditionally and unwavering; it is what truly matters.

God is good