Uri's Naptime

“Grandma, you sleep with me?”  Love those words before Uri’s nap.  Uri knows I don’t sleep with him while he naps.  But many times this is the start to our naptime routine.
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Uri and I have a very regular naptime routine.  First we turn on the fan.  Next we start the sound machine for rain.  Uri then grabs his favorite stuffed animal.  We get cozy and comfortable on the rocking chair.  Uri sits on my lap, hugging his little “doggie”.  It’s time to read several books.  Then Uri snuggles into my arms as I sing nursery rhymes.  We sing and rock until those beautiful eyes close.  It doesn’t take long.  Last, I gently lift him to the bed – cover him up – give him a kiss on the cheek (maybe two kisses or more).  My heart swells with love for this sweet boy as I look at him one last time before I leave the room. 
 
I find myself thinking about how soon it will be when Uri will no longer be taking naps.  Time flies as they say.  Uri will soon turn 3, but the hands on the clock will move quickly and soon he will be 4 and then 5…  Then I will have no more naptime routines.
 
I have 8 grandchildren.  They are growing up, and Uri is the “baby”.  Uri is our last grandbaby.  He is the only one now that allows me to hold him my on my lap, sing to him, and snuggle while he holds his little stuffed toy.  I am really going to miss this naptime routine!  I’m going to miss this special bonding time. 
 
Yes – how time flies.  How things change.  Though Uri will always be our baby, he will grow out of certain routines and rituals.  But our love for him will never change. This is where I see God’s love for us.  We are his children, his joy, and his creation.  When we hurt, He hurts.  When we are sad, he knows that feeling of sadness and despair.  He is filled with joy at our happiness and contentment in Him.  God loves us!
 
God loves us and has given us free will.  We have freedom in His love.  He has not created us all the same, but each unique and different.  He does not force us to be like everyone else – he allows us choice.
 
As Uri grows and enters school to receive an education, I hope he experiences joy and freedom.  I hope he is not just a face in the crowd; I hope he is loved for who he is – different from the others in the classroom.  I hope he has teachers who are passionate, who will support him, who will fight for him if need be, who are unafraid to be different, who are unafraid to speak truth, who will love him as a child of God…
 
I can’t wait for tomorrow at naptime, for our Uri naptime routine.  There’s nothing like the love between grandparents and grandchildren except for the love between God and His children!
 
BEcky