Yesterday I experienced the most unlikely, most wonderful thing that has ever happened. I carefully extended my sanitized hand through the small, round opening in the incubator and, with my forefinger, gently touched the cheek of my brand new great-granddaughter, just 18 hours old. And then I did it again, reached through the small, round opening and touched the cheek of her identical twin sister, my second great-granddaughter.

I never thought much about great-grandparenthood. No one did. My great-grandparents were long gone when I was born and I have only vague memories of my parents talking about them, their grandparents. They were remote, to say the least.

But now, I am one, a great-grandfather and my new status has set me to ruminating – on, among other things, my own age. Unlike my great-grandparents, I’m still here, alive, well and reasonably active and healthy. And – I have seen and touched and soon will hold in my arms, my great-granddaughters! More even than with the birth of my own children – we were so young and overwhelmed that we didn’t have time to ponder and reflect on what was happening – but this time – the wonder, the mystery and the astonishing reality of these two new born babies, 4 lbs 9 & 10 ounces, fully formed, pink, squirming, occasionally emitting a quiet cry, having spent eight months crowded inside their mother Carolyn’s womb. I am filled to overflowing with wonder and awe and speechless reverence simply at their sudden, astonishing appearance.

Gratitude doesn’t quite describe it. It’s gratitude doubled, tripled, “lost in wonder, love and praise,” the hymn, “Love Divine”, puts it.

Thank you, Lord, for your gift of life, unearned, undeserved, pure holy grace, given over and over and over again, millions and millions of times, each time, each one an astonishing miracle – human life, a baby, a human being, in your own image, O God, a reflection of the mystery and wonder of You, Creator, and Life Giver.

So, yes. Yes indeed…

Now thank we all our God

with heart and hands and voices,

Who wondrous things hath done…

Who from our mother’s arms

hath blessed us on our way

with countless gifts of love

and still is ours today.

John M. Buchanan