Blessings of Grandchildren

Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. Proverbs 17:5-7 


I imagine many people likely assume that money is the source of happiness for people who have achieved material success. Money can buy some piece of mind. Burdens are a bit lighter and worries less for the person with money who needs to repair a car or replace an appliance, for example. These situations can be very trying for a family struggling financially.
But money can't really buy happiness. My wife, Helen, and I can honestly say that our material wealth has not bought us happiness and that we were just as happy when we started out together in life with much less.
The main source of happiness in my life has been other people. I've been called a people person, and I enjoy meeting and getting to know people from all walks of life from around the world. I've gotten great satisfaction from encouraging people to believe in themselves and achieve their dreams. Helen and I cherish time with friends we've known since we were first married and new friends.
If you're a parent, you can understand how our raising four children and watching them continue to build their own lives has given us immense joy. And now, Helen and I find perhaps our greatest source of happiness and feel most richly blessed by our grandchildren.
We pray each day for our children and grandchildren by name. And we thank God for so richly providing us the blessing of family. So we have a reason for living that is not about money or things. We want to live to see our children and grandchildren mature and enjoy their lives. We live for the opportunity to celebrate life with them.
We look forward to seeing how each of our grandchildren turns out - the talents they develop, the careers they pursue and the worlds they explore. I hope they find life as exciting, challenging and rewarding as I have for more than 80 years.
So Helen and I always look forward to Thanksgiving - a time for families to gather, enjoy each other's company and bask in each other's love and laughter. I'm sure if a poll was taken to ask people what they were most thankful for at Thanksgiving, most would say "family." To that, Helen and I can specifically add, "and lots of grandchildren."
To all you grandparents, I wish you a Thanksgiving surrounded by loving grandchildren.

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Rich DeVos is the former chairman of Gospel Communications. He is also the author of "Hope From My Heart: Ten Lessons for Life," co-founder of Amway Corp., and owner and chairman of the NBA's Orlando Magic.