When I penned this post in 2014, the nearness was palpable. It’s been 10 years, and although the time and distance both have grown, there’s no less optimism in my heart. I think that’s the thing about a mother’s heart. It does get old but it never loses it capacity to love fiercely and unconditionally. I like to think that is me.
Ten years ago, three souls were at the other end of anticipation. Today, there’s six. And my arms can hold those six, and if God’s see fit, six more. I stretch well when it comes to family.
We’re praying that 2024 is the year that we’ll all spend Christmas together. For the first time, but not the last. My boys - Logan and Ty - their sister - Mari - and her family. Len will sit at the head of the table and say a prayer that today is the beginning of an international love affair of the Garrison clan.

You're always told that close enough is not good enough. Well, this time it is.
At first the number was 16, 307 miles. Now, it's 3, 816 miles. We can live with that.
We can live with Ireland.
Keep looking, our dear Caitlin. Grandma and gramps will be grabbing those toes soon. Throw off those kangaroos and forget those downunder blues. Grab hold of your Celtic roots and start developing your brogue. We'll learn to listen more carefully. Learn words like Guinness and leprechaun and Bono. Let your Irish grandparents snuggle up to you every single day, for now family is near and that's far more magical than any leprechaun you'll ever encounter.
And very soon, you'll meet your Southern soul (well, part New Jersey, but he's converting) and I'll share stories of cornbread, boiled peanuts, magnolia blossoms and Papa Hill and Grandma Hill.

I'll tell you about how Grandma Hill loved your mother more than anything and even when your mama fell and broke her wrist, 90 year old Grandma jumped in the Buick, drove to the hospital, and allowed you to wrap the break in pink wrap. They never called me. A lesson: mama's are always the last to know, but in the end, they always know. I learned that one the hard way. I'll tell you about Papa Hill and how he loved Besse the mule and could plow a field from sun up to sun down, and then sit on the front porch, listening to crickets and watching lightning bugs illuminate the mountains of that beautiful North Georgia sky. Then he'd do it all over again the next day.
There are so many stories we want to tell you. So many touches that are inevitable. We have a snappy step this morning. That's what possibility can do for anyone, especially grandparents who long to see their first grandchild.

We can't wait to see Caitlin, but we can't wait to meet Phelim. The more sons in our arms, the better. And girl time! Oh, how I've missed girl time! I can't wait to go shopping, have coffee at the corner coffee shop and giggle about how good life is.
Now, I can see. Yesterday, I couldn't. Today, you're halfway home.