Celebrate late-in-life blessings

Folding that waited for child into your life brings bliss, joy

By DOLORES WESTGEEST
Spruce Grove

Our family is a bit unusual by today's standards in that our children vary in age over the span of 30 years as a single unit.

Actually my husband and I have had three families, so to speak.

Within the first four years of our marriage, we were blessed with three beautiful girls. Seven years later, God blessed us with another delightful girl.

Then, lo and behold, 15 years following, we were given yet another gift, our fifth daughter.

Admittedly, being in our late forties, parenting has brought its challenges, challenges that in fruition have brought many joys.

Over the years, our youngest now almost four, and like her sisters before her, has planted flowers with us in the spring, gone for walks with us in the summer, raked leaves with us in the fall, and tobogganed with us in the winter.

"We enjoy the innocent giggles, the dazzle of sparkling eyes, and we delight in the childhood charm of a little girl's fascination of life." - Dolores Westgeest

One of our winter pastimes — a newly acquired tradition since these last two winters have been so long — is to have a family indoor picnic on Friday evenings. We lay a blanket down on the living room floor, light candles, turn off the lights, and sitting in close proximity of the wood-burning stove, eat our picnic supper.

During that time, we amuse ourselves with a variety of activities. Sometimes we play games. Other times we read or tell stories. But mostly we fashion shadows using our hands and cast familiar figures onto the walls and ceiling.

It is a pleasure, even if we are considered to be old by today's standards, having a youngster around, everyday, all day.

We enjoy the innocent giggles, the dazzle of sparkling eyes, and we delight in the childhood charm of a little girl's fascination of life.

As with all of our children, our toddler has held our hand, kissed our cheek, and hugged us, all of which we gladly return in like manner and favour. Her parents and her sisters love her unconditionally and she freely loves us all back.

As parents, the greatest joy we've experienced has been to hear our children say, "I love you" from their tiny soft voices. That God has so blessed us I'd like to say, "Blessed be God!"

Because we feel much more secure about trusting our senses, our experiences or what another person tells us, I wanted to share my senses, my experience with you.

If you are contemplating having children late in life or if you are in this situation, trust what I tell you – a child at this stage of your life is a beautiful experience. CNS photo by Dave Hrbacek Minneapolis Catholic couple Alan and Anne Nicklaus relax with their daughter Cecilia.

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