Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward from him.
 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
 Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them. – Psalm 127

So in days of yore (I mean the really olden times…) people I considered ancient would pull out their purse or wallet and display a handful of faded and wrinkled passport-sized photos, featuring their kids and grandkids. They called it their brag-book and we’d all nod politely and make the appropriate “aren’t they so lovely” comments.

Well now it’s 2020 and grandpa has a blog! Besides, it turns out that grandparents are not nearly so old as I once thought they were; you know, back in the day.

• Plus it’s Friday. And we all know this day has been designated “Photo Friday.” Not only that but it’s been a week with some serious posts here at Pilgrim in Progress so we could all use a few sweet faces to enjoy, and David and Beks are happy to oblige.

The Miami Connection:

I don’t know if you noticed, friends, but Miami is a long haul from Wake Forest! I had planned a trip this month, but of course everything is on hold. We have had to content ourselves with some good Facetime conversations, phone calls, and vicarious grandchild viewing via daughter Naomi’s amazing photography.

Who knew Florida would end up playing such an important and ongoing part in our story? When Rebekah and I moved to North Carolina in 2013 we thought, maybe, all that time in the sweltering heat would have been enough. Thirty-five years for me; forty-five for Rebekah. Stetson University in DeLand; Pensacola in the Panhandle; Tampa Bay; an additional decade for Rebekah in Leesburg. Now Miami? All that’s left is Key West.

But the grands look like they belong, don’t they? They look like Florida kids, watching the rain on a stormy afternoon, playing with their umbrellas on the family walk. So all credit to our beautiful daughter for these pictures. And all credit to our beautiful grandchildren for being, well, so gosh darned beautiful.

Don’t grow up so fast! Seriously, don’t. Don’t grow up at all….

Your Grandaddy, Derek