One night over thirty years ago, I opened my door to see my daughter and her three small children standing there, bags in hand, asking to be taken in. 

I must say that my heart leaped for joy as I realized she had finally broken free from a marriage that had been difficult from the start. She had stayed with it as long as there was any hope, and now the husband had left. It seemed harsh at the time but would prove to be a blessing.

Of course, my husband and I were happy to welcome our daughter and grandchildren. Yet it was a challenge having three youngsters underfoot when my own children were now grown and on their own. Because my daughter had a full-time job, the children were with me many hours each day. I saw them off to school in the morning and was there when they came home in the afternoon. And there was the extra cooking and all the other demands that living with four additional people brought.