Connor was so sick yesterday and part of today. He just quietly lay in the recliner looking nauseous and miserable, not one of his shy smiles showing up as he rested. I offered to read to him, or give him more ginger ale, or draw pictures with him. Still not even the tiniest of smiles. Later on, I was sorting through photo files from last summer, and happened upon these pictures of Connor trying to pick Nora up and swing her around at the beach. I brought the laptop over to Connor and showed him.
He smiled.
And so did I.
You see, I knew when we were expecting twins that it would be busy. I knew it would require loss of sleep and lots of long days. I knew that it would change us. People told us to get ready, that we had no idea what we were facing. People would kindly chuckle and pity us, or cringe with a little smile of sympathy. They would tell us our lives would never be the same, that our hands would be full. And we knew they were right, that our hands would be full. But what we didn't know was how intensely full our hearts would be. We didn't know of the friendship that would be borne between these two. Nora and Connor are so different from each other, but share a bond that we can't really grasp. We didn't realize how much we would laugh, and how we would thoroughly enjoy watching their antics of companionship. We didn't know what it would really be like, how cherished these twins would become. Those people who warned us that our lives would never be the same? They were right. And every day, I am so thankful for that.
"There are two things in life for which we are never truly prepared: twins. "
-Josh Billings
-Josh Billings
aww, they look like they are haivng so much fun!
ReplyDeleteAs the grandma I agree, life has not been the same since these 2 arrived and we have been so blessed by it! I still say Grandchildren are the best things ever invented! :-)
ReplyDeleteBetsy, you almost made me cry! :) You have always made having twins seem like such a joy!
ReplyDelete-dee
Dee,
ReplyDeleteYou made me smile. It is a joy! Thanks!
I love this blog. It made me cry, in fact tears are flowing now! Because on days like today, when I was pitied, and told that "my hands are full," and that this person was "thankful that they didn't have boys, let alone 4 kids," it makes me realize that same thought. The thought that while I may truly have my hands full, that my heart is fuller, that my LIFE is fuller, because I have been blessed beyond measure! It's truly sad to see people living in a tiny little world, enclosed in a tiny little box, with tiny little thoughts, and really BIG opinions, that come out really, really loud. Sorry to hog your blog Betz. I guess I needed to vent!?
ReplyDeleteShannon, you didn't "hog my blog" -- you made me smile. And where would we be without our boys, anyway, right?!! :) Better full than empty, I think.
ReplyDeleteAnd from the other Gramma, it is such a pleasure to be with them and watch them grow and learn. It is different than raising your own children. Grandchildren are the best!! Of course, Betsy, the pictures are great.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree with you more! You just have the perfect words to express the blessings of twins!Even when they are almost 16 years old it is so special!Thanks Betsy, for all your refreshing thoughts we can think on! LaNae
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