This was in the Sunday Herald Democrat.

By Joyce Godwin
Herald Democrat

With the recent marriage of our daughter, we’ve acquired a new son and two new grandchildren. Our family is growing and I don’t have to give birth again. Woohoo!

We have two daughters and two sons. A daughter and a son to whom I gave birth and a daughter and son who married into the family. But, to us, they are “son and daughter” equal with the first two. We have another set of children we call our adopted family. They are also daughter and son to us but we didn’t have to raise them. With them comes four adorable adopted granddaughters. Our adopted daughter just gave birth at Wilson N. Jones and our family grows by one more.

This week, we’ve watched the miracle of life as the newest life joins us. We’ve also had a really close look at the miracles of modern medicine as our new baby struggles for breath in a Plano Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. And that’s where we learn about the rest of the family. Our church family calls and makes every effort to pitch in and make the parents’ journey a little easier. What a blessing.

At this point, there’s no way to ease the hearts of parents watching a little one labor for every breath the rest of us take for granted. Today, I’m thankful for each member of our family and all those who’ve gathered round for prayer and assistance. It drives home the importance of friends and family ties and each is a treasure in my heart. I think the whole community of Van Alstyne may be on the prayer chain of people interceding for this little baby. What a blessing.