They're here

When I was a punk kid, I would stand at the window and watch for Bet and Joe or Joy and Al or Nita and Lee--well, all of my relatives--when we were waiting for company to arrive at the little house out on the Redfield Road. When they'd pull up in the circle drive, I'd yell, "They're here." And the excitement would follow.

Well, it was like that Monday, on Memorial Day, when the twins arrived. I never am at a loss for words--don't remember when I was at a loss for words--but I find it hard to find the right words even now when I describe the arrival of grandchildren. Luke was the first and what a wonderful, uplifting treasure he has become. And now Geneva and Lexa, Leslie's and Patrick's twin girls.

We got the important phone call that morning. I was scheduled to play golf but plans were put on hold because of the rain and then the site of our scheduled match was moved from Hot Springs to Pine Bluff. But I told my playing buds I better not go because I had a feeling that the babies were about to make an appearance. About five minutes after cancelling my golf outing, the phone rang and Peanut and I were missiling out of Sheridan en route to Fayetteville. She wanted to drive because she says I don't drive fast enough, but we made it in time. I'm afraid as nervous as she was, if she had driven we might have overshot the hospital runway.

We got there about an hour before the girls were born. And before the day was out, we were in the room looking at them. What an unbelievable sight, two of them, both little darlings. One blonde and one brunette. Healthy, pretty, plump and just a beautiful orangy color.

We all marveled at the sight. I mean, one baby is miracle enough beyond words and now we have two, these tiny little babies that belong to us. And one of them named Lexa Joy after sister Joy. Man, you talk about heaven singing all day long and don't you know Joy is smiling that wonderful smile of hers.

I look back a lot more these days, on life, on my many blessings, on my missteps, on my wonderful family and now I've lived thru a lot of god-awful things long enough to see this, my second and third grandkids. Who would have thunk it. I sing the good Lord's praises and I'm so thankful for the wonderful people in my life who make each day a joyous and wonderful experience. I love every breath I get and I sure am breathing a lot easier now, now that Leslie is ok and her little girls are here and they are ok, too. They are so pretty and little Luke is accepting the fact now that his two new cousins are both girls, although he held out hope until the end that one might turn out to be a boy. He just wants to know now when he can see them. Now that will be some photo.

Eric made it to the hospital in time for the births, too. He was about 45 minutes behind us. He just grinned all afternoon, real proud of his little sister and all. He sure is comforting to have around. Just like me, Peanut says, and that makes me proud when she says that. Now we'll have little babies to pass around Christmas at Bob and Martha's. That'll make Martha happy. She's lost without a baby to cuddle. She was excited on the phone when I told her all about the girls. If it works out, we might even get to have the Fourth of July gathering. Leslie likes that one and now that the girls got here a little early, that holiday celebration might be a consideration again. We'll just have to wait and see if they're up to traveling by then. Might not be.

Well, that's about all now. I do have some golf coming up...three days with my old Senate buddies and then on to Batesville for a weekend tournament. All of that was on hold pending the birth of the twins, but I suppose I'll get to go now. Maybe I'll play good, not having so much on my mind an all now.

That's all for this time, til' next time, thanks for your time.