Today is Monday, June 20th, 2005; Karen's Korner #571

Today the "boys" (Jim and Luke) took off for town to have coffee with the uptown guys!! Last night, our grandson Luke experienced his first "sleepover" at grandma and grandpa's house in Clarion.
 
As Luke moves past his first birthday and as he gets closer to adding a sister to his Champion family ranks, I reflect on Luke's grandpa -- my husband, Jim.
 
For those of you who don't know much about our family medical history, Jim was diagnosed with coronary artery disease 31 years ago this fall. He had his first bypass surgery two years later, in 1976. He has had subsequent heart hospitalizations for additional bypasses, chest pains, and balloon procedures. It was in 1993 that doctors recommended that he retire from farming.
 
We have had the privilege of many additional days, family vacations and life experiences!
 
For a number of years as we would travel, Jim would pick up  souvenirs for "his" grandchildren. At the time, neither girl had kids. Jamie wasn't even married. Later Merry was killed.
 
One time we got a handmade wooden pull toy from southeast Iowa. Another item was a little t-shirt from the Seattle Aquarium. Later, a Chineses snowsuit from near the Great Wall in China.
 
Each time he would buy something, he would get choked up because he "knew that he would never live long enough to see any grandchildren." But he enjoyed the shopping. Thinking of the future..
 
But God had an even more generous gift:  he has added years to Jim's life!!! A gift for Jim, all of us including Luke.........and with any additional blessings....for grandchild #2 in mid-August.
 
Jim's life is only one of the many blessings God has in store for all of us as His Children. What we get from God many times surprises us, because it is so much more generous and complete than we could every imagine!!
 
Thank you, God, for your love and generosity!!

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