Today is my grandson, Luke’s 11th birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY sweet boy. I remember the day you were born and our excitement to hear that you had arrived. Grampie and I drove down to Toronto that very day to welcome you to the Jolliffe family. You are the fifth of ten grandchildren.

Psalm 139:13-16 says “For You formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance, in Your book were written, every one of the, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.”

During the winter of 2015 - I was on the road - visiting the homes of our sons and their wives. I spent Christmas with Zac and Tracy and Tali - then I was off to Moosonee for a few weeks at Pete and Heather and Levi, Caleb and new baby, Adele’s and then spent time in Ottawa at Ben and Jen’s and Sara and Lukie and new baby boy, Ian.

It was super awesome to hang out with Talia, Levi, Caleb, Adele, Sara, Lukie and Ian during those days and spend a lengthy bit of time in each of their homes. I did a lot of reading, playing hockey, playing Sorry and Candyland, lego, race cars and trains, house, dolls, hide and seek, zamboni driving, horsey, sledding, skating and more games and things that I can’t remember right now. I spent hours rocking my two new grandbabies, Adele and Ian. I sang songs, read Bible stories and shared precious prayer time and bedtime stories. I remember that Caleb and I did our fair share of baking and washing up the dishes too. I was thankful and blessed.

I think one of my favourite ages (though they are all pretty cool) is 18 months to 30 months old. The little ones learn so much at that age……..talking - expressing themselves - running - climbing - laughing - playing - eating new things…….especially talking. Words are so exciting. And the meaning of words, even more so. And expressing those words - super exciting.

During the winter of 2015 - Luke was at that age - almost two - 21 months old. He was a charmer and had his Grammie wrapped around his little fingers. He smiled all the time and was very expressive with his hugs and kisses. He loved trucks and eating. When you asked him a question about either of those two things - he yelled “HAAAAAAAA” which means YES! He was so enthusiastic when he answered HAAAAAAAA to his breakfast - HAAAAAAAA to lunch and supper, HAAAAAAAA to the trucks and cars he saw driving down the street. I loved his uninhibited joy at all those things. I loved (and love) his ever ready smile. I loved his passion for life. I loved when you asked him for a kiss and a hug - he said HAAAAAAAA and would come over and lay a big smooch on you.

It got me thinking. Why can’t I be like an 18-30 month old child in my responses to life? Why don’t I yell HAAAAAAAA when I’m asked to do something?

I think it starts by learning to say yes to the easy things that life presents us so we’re ready to say yes to the hard things. It’s easy to say yes to doing chores, going to work, obeying the law and such. It’s easy to write a note of thanks, volunteer in your community, send money to the needy etc. It’s easy to make your bed - clean the house - cook supper and do the dishes.

But maybe it’s harder to say yes to working out a problem with a difficult so-worker or neighbour or spouse, but we need to. It’s super hard to be patient and kind when confronted by an irrational person, but we need to. It’s way difficult to say yes to a disease and choosing to fight for your health, but we need to. It’s crazy hard to say yes to death - choosing to keep on living when your beloved spouse or parent or child has passed away, but we need to. You must fight the desire to crawl into bed and pull the sheets over your head but instead, get up, get dressed and get out there - continuing to put one foot in front of the other. We need to.

A few years ago Luke and I (and Ben) ran the Ottawa marathon together - well it was 2 km - but to Luke, it was his marathon. We were lined up near the very front of the hundreds and hundreds of runners who had turned out to run this race, when CTV news approached us to interview us. It was so fun to tell them our story of three generations running together. It was even more fun to see that we were the headline story on the 6 pm news. It was my last road race before injuring my hamstring but I’ll always have that memory of running with Luke. I could hardly keep up to him.

So Lucky Duke. HAPPY 11TH BIRTHDAY TODAY. For 11 years you have brought me so much joy. I especially love attending Rez Church with you - sitting beside you - singing together - listening to your dad preach - and the odd time still - you - leaning into me for a wee hug. I love you - dear boy.

I’m reminded of your sweet little voice from 9 years ago when you shouted HAAAAAAAA to the things you wanted and loved. I want to do the same.

Thank You, God for this little guy, who reminds me of another little guy 40 years ago who, along with his brothers, taught me great lessons and melted my heart in just the same way.

HAAAAAA!