Last year, I was at an event with my youngest son.  There was maybe a hundred people there.  It was really fun.  We sat and ate some ice cream under a tree in the shade.  I had a wish or longing in my heart.  I felt deeply that I wished I had a grandma for Theo there with me to enjoy the moment.  A few moments later an older woman came and sat right down with us.  She pulled out a half a loaf of banana bread and said that she brought it to give to someone.  She gave it to us.  We ended up hanging out with her for maybe a half an hour and Theo just loved her.  My heart felt full.  I knew that my desire had attracted this woman to us.  

A few months passed and Theo saw this lady at the pool. He yelled out her full name. I was blown away and so was the lady that Theo remembered her first and last name perfectly. We were all touched and Theo went into her arms hugging her like she was his grandmother. We have seen her many times at the pool since and every time he loves her like his family.

For months we looked for her at the hot springs pool all winter long.  We were missing our friend.  Yesterday, my husband wanted to go to the pool and sure enough the lady was there.  Theo came up to her and went right in her arms.  She held him like they were the closest of relatives or friends.  He let her hold him for quite some time.  I have to add that Theo is not this way often.  He in fact can come off as shy when he is around people he doesn’t know.  

The lady told us that she had to have two surgeries and that is why she wasn’t at the pool for some time.  We visited with her for about an hour and then said good bye.  We walked across the pool to the end to get our stuff.  Theo is getting to be a great swimmer but can only swim a little bit.  He saw the woman at the side of the pool taking a photo for a group of people.  Theo jumped from my arms and started to swim to the woman.  I stayed by his side as he swam like I never have seen him swim before.  He swam across the pool with such gusto.  He made it all the way to the woman.  She was thrilled and touched.  Theo hugged her again and we said our goodbyes for the second time.  

Later last night I asked Theo, “who do you think needed the love more you or the woman?”  Theo said, “we both really needed the love.”  I truly was touched by my son and this woman.  It has warmed my heart.  It is amazing how prayers, desires, and dreams can become reality in a blink of an eye.  I appreciate strangers that become family.  This woman isn’t just loved by us, I have found she is loved by many.  She is a very special soul.  

Family is not always blood.  As I watched this woman hugging my son I imagined my mom’s soul coming inside of her.  I almost could see her wrapping her arms around her grandson.  This lady has become Theo’s, “pool grandma” which she has named herself.  Moments like these make me believe in magic and miracles.  My heart is full and Theo is loved greatly.  Life is truly beautiful.