Grandchildren are the dots
that connect the lines
from generation to generation. Lois Wyse

Easter has a richer, deeper meaning than ever before. Two years ago on Easter Sunday 2006, our first grandchild was baptized. Jennifer and John's firstborn, Kalena Eileen, became a Child of God that day.

But that’s not all – THIS Easter Sunday - 2008, Kalena watched her baby brother Vincent David celebrate that same life-giving Sacrament.

"Baby brother Bincent" was born on February 5 – Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, 2008. And on Ash Wednesday, February 6, Kalena turned two years old. Therefore, the start of Lent and the feast of Easter have become symbols of new life, of rebirth, and of the next generation.

"Big Sister Kalena" was dressed to the nines for Vincent's Christening - complete with hat and white cape (Great-Grandma Eustacia Day had knitted it for Jennifer over 35 years ago). At Right: Godfather Stephen Smith, Godmother Mary Ingram, John, Vincent David, Jennifer, and Father Eric Augenstein.

Cousin Emma, Kalena, Eileen and Helen Smith (Godfather Stephen's mother).
At Right: John, Jennifer, Vincent and Fr. Eric

We pray that Kalena and Vincent will spend their lifetimes celebrating their birthdays and christenings together. Please join us in prayerful thanksgiving as we welcome Vincent David into our family, and the Family of God. Ray and Eileen

My Wish for My Grandchildren
- by Paul Harvey

We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse.
For my grandchildren, I'd like better.

I'd really like for them to know about hand me down clothes and homemade
ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches, I really would.

I hope you learn humility by being humiliated,
and that you learn honesty by being cheated.

I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn, and wash the car.
And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.

It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born
and your old dog put to sleep. I hope you get a black eye
fighting for something you believe in.

I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother.
And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room,
but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because
he's scared, I hope you let him.

When you want to see a movie and your little brother wants to tag along,
I hope you'll let him.

I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and
that you live in a town where you can do it safely.

On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't ask
your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen
riding with someone as uncool as your Mom.

If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you
how to make one instead of buying one.

I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.
When you learn to use computers,
I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.

I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush
on a girl, and when you talk back to your mother
that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.

May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove
and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.

I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like it.
And if a friend offers you dope or a joint,
I hope you realize he is not your friend.

I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandpa
and go fishing with your Uncle.

May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.

I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball
through your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you
at Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.

These things I wish for you -- tough times and disappointment,
hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate life.

Written with a pen. Sealed with a kiss. I'm here for you.
And if I die before you do, I'll go to heaven and wait for you.