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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Twilight Years of Life (07/02/09)
Ahh… twilight…

That time of the day when life’s hustle and bustle starts to wind down. The time to thoughtfully reflect on the activities of the day. What went right? What went wrong? Time to be still and quiet as the world readies itself for a long night’s rest. Time for the bright, sometimes harsh, light of day to be replaced by the softer lights GOD provides for our repose.

The twilight years of life…

Oh, how we long for this time in our lives. We’ve worked long and hard all these years. We have raised our children the best way we knew how, and are trusting GOD that we’ve prepared them adequately to stand on their own. We’ve made some mistakes along the way, but hopefully we have been productive and made a difference in some small way. Our bodies are older. The same work somehow leaves us more tired. We sink gratefully into our bed at night, sometimes painfully aware that we are not “spring chickens” anymore. There’s a yearning now for peace and rest.

But…

Life is funny… and sometimes throws us an unexpected curve. Suddenly my husband and I find ourselves guardians of our two young grandsons. Instead of winding down, we find ourselves starting all over with little ones again. We’re entrusted with the nurture and protection of these precious little boys until (hopefully) their parents learn and choose to be the parents they need to be.

We’re up and down for feedings in the middle of the night. We’re changing diapers. We are right smack in the middle of that most wonderful time of life… potty training. We know all of the words to the “Wonder Pets” theme song. (That’s a scary thought!)

I find myself right back where I was almost twenty-one years ago; rocking two babies to sleep at night. I sing them the exact same hymns I used to sing to their mother and their uncle when they were just babies.

“Sweet Hour of Prayer”
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
“Amazing Grace”
“Rock of Ages”
“The Old Rugged Cross”
“Jesus Loves the Little Children”

“Hush, Gammaw.” Tyler, our two year old, stops me mid-way through “Jesus Loves the Little Children”.

“Hing Jesus love Huntee”, he demands in his little boy voice.

So I “hing”.

“Jesus loves Ty and Hunter”
“He loves them very, very much.”
“Jesus loves Tyler.”
“Jesus loves Hunter.”
“Jesus loves Ty and Hunter.”

He sighs and nestles his head against my shoulder. On my other arm, his six month old little brother smiles a sweet baby smile in his sleep.

I realize a profound and humbling truth. This is not how I thought my husband and I would be spending our twilight years, but that’s okay. My two year old grandson has personalized the message. Jesus is real, and He loves Tyler and Hunter very much.

As I experience this life-changing revelation, it hits me. GOD had a purpose in bringing these soft, little lights into our twilight years, and I would not have it any other way.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
BAYO OMOYIOLA, JR
07/09/09
Beautifully written. Good!
c clemons
07/09/09
Good story and good writing.
Mildred Sheldon
07/10/09
Beautiful story and so true. There are more and more grandparents raising their grandchildren.
Norma-Anne Hough
07/12/09
What a blessing you are to your two precious grandchildren. Loved your very real account of a very different type of twilight experience:)
Mary McLeary
07/13/09
Loved the change of pace between the beginning of your piece and the end. Children have a way of upping the pace of our lives. This piece has a strong message of hope.
diana kay
07/15/09
lovely bt what happened to their mother? I feel so sad that she is no longer there
Deborah Porter 
07/18/09
Hi Lisa. I just wanted to leave a quick note to let you know your entry, It's Twilight Time...Or Is It? actually did very well in the Twilight Years Challenge. Although you didn't receive an award, you made it into the Highest Rankings for Level 2, placing 8th in that Level.

If you'd like to check the highest rankings for yourself, you can find them here:
http://www.faithwriters.com/Boards/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=26236

The highest rankings are posted every Thursday evening on the Message Boards.

Hope to see you at the FaithWriters' Conference in August. It’s going to be an amazing time of inspiration, information and encouragement. (If I’ve already mentioned that to you, forgive me. We’re just so excited about letting members know about this great gathering.)
http://www.faithwriters.com/conference.php

With love, Deb (Challenge Coordinator)