on blessings and rituals

For the longest time our nightime routine with the little pumpkin has gone something like this: dinner, bath, books (with daddy), prayers, cuddle time (with mama), lights out. Nothing out of the ordinary, right? Well, except one little thing. Ever since the little pumpkin was born, Lance tenderly referred to her as Gracie. Now, I'm not too fond of the nickname Gracie, I much prefer her given name of Grace, but coming from her daddy it DOES sound so very sweet. I'll admit I've called her Gracie Girl a time or two, substituting Gracie for "crazy"...in a fun, good-natured way of course. Well, a while back I remember coming in to her room ready for prayers & cuddle time and hearing Lance singing to her, Grace looking ever so tenderly at him filled with admiration like little girls do when looking at their daddies. He was singing Amazing Grace to her, except he called it the Gracie Song and she just soaked it up. Me too... x100. Fast forward to this week. Last night to be exact. Lance has been out of town for work so I'm pulling double duty (boy, am I tired!). Right after our prayers, Grace requested the Gracie Song. I hesitated. A ritual between father and daughter not to be tresspassed. I love rituals and traditions and family memories like you would not believe. I think they shape every fiber of our being. She insisted and so I did my best rendition of Amazing Grace. Thank goodness she was listening to me with loving ears for I'm no singer. At the end of the song, as she was beginning to drift off, she smiled sweetly, took my face into her little hands, and said "Amazing Mama"{insert heart flutter here} and then gave me a little kiss. Amazing how two little words can fill up your love tank and make you walk on air. Thank you God for the privilege you have given Lance and I to parent these two beautiful children.
It is the greatest gift on earth!