Grandchildren are indeed a gift—little angels sent from above to love and enjoy. If you are a grandparent I'm sure you will agree that they are special blessings.

A few years ago, my granddaughter Candice became pregnant with her first child. She and her husband attended classes so that she could deliver the baby “;natural.”; My daughter was their back-up coach, and I was invited to be in the birthing room with them.

When the call came that she was in the hospital, my heart started pounding. Would I be able to handle this? What if she cried out in pain? What if I saw blood? What if something were to go wrong with her or the baby? Could I keep from fainting or having a heart attack?

I once heard of a father who passed out in the delivery room. But, too late now, I couldn't refuse. I had to be brave.

On the way to the hospital I thought back to the birth of my first child 45 years ago. Things certainly have changed. I didn't want anyone in the labor room with me other than my husband. And when the time came for the little one to appear, I was wheeled off alone to surgery and soon put to sleep!

When I awoke I was told I was the mother of a tiny baby girl, 4 pounds, l0 ounces. She was placed in an incubator. I couldn't hold her. My first glimpse of her was 24 hours later, when they wheeled me to the nursery.

Now here she was in the birthing room, witnessing her daughter giving birth. Could this be a dream? How did time pass so quickly?

  In attendance in the birthing room were my daughter, granddaughter, her husband, and the other great-grandmother. I entered, kissed my granddaughter and daughter and quickly headed for the farthest outside wall, by the window. Once in a while I glanced over with great apprehension as things progressed.

When my granddaughter was little, she loved to have her back and feet massaged. It relaxed her and she soon fell asleep. Now, a faint voice called out to me, “;Grandma would you please massage my feet?”; I tried to be brave and replied, “;Of course, dear.”;

And as I rubbed her feet, she did seem to relax. Soon the professionals came in to check on her and I went back to my wall. “;It's time, the doctor said,”; and now the breathing coach was doing his job.

Soon I heard a baby cry, and the nurse ran past me with this little miracle wrapped in a blanket. “;It's a boy! He's healthy and Mom did great!”;

I silently thanked God. Suddenly the world was a much more peaceful, beautiful place! This was an event I shall never forget. I am thankful to have been invited to share in their joy.

I am also thankful that I did not faint!