“Young people need something stable to hang on to—a culture connection, a sense of their own past, a hope for their own future. Most of all, they need what grandparents can give them.” — Jay Kesler

Life on the road with three grandchildren is both fun and a challenge. Today we are one week in and a few themes have emerged.

First, David (14) and Beks (13) are really wonderful siblings to their younger brother. They are both teens and he is just five. They take responsibility and they take care of him in every way – even if he manages to get on their nerves a lot of the time.

Then, being together develops its own patterns and within a few days we became a functional family unit and that is giving us a lot of joy. Blessings before even the simplest meal, small courtesies learned and then repeated, the kids picking up responsibilities – even Geoffrey. It all begins to fall into place and while not seamless we feel our interconnectedness grow and our love too.

Sunday afternoon I took the kids to the pool then Rebekah taught Geoffrey the card game “WAR.” He caught on pretty quickly and then – just like when we set up a 1,000-piece puzzle that nobody wants to do but then after not too long everyone ends up around the table – Beks joined in and finally David too.

Monday’s long drive up into Michigan went really well and now we are in Midland with Andrew, Alicia and Mr. T. It is so good to have our international family home and resident in the United States.

If you are one of those people who despair of the world and cannot find your way to seeing hope for tomorrow, then I recommend spending a little more time with children.

Life irrepressible. Promise that won’t let up. Good news if you are willing to listen.

– DEREK