There was a prayer that the priest who presided over our wedding said when my husband and I were standing at the altar — May you live to see your children’s children.

I hear that prayer at many of the weddings I attend, and I always pray that the newly married couple will have the opportunity to experience the fulfillment of that prayer.

Motherhood is one of the most beautiful blessings that God gave me, but as much as I love being a mother, the joy and happiness I have experienced as a mother is multiplied every time a new grandchild of mine is born into this world.

I love it when my grandchildren run into my arms for a hug and kiss as soon as they see me. Some of them play hard to get and I have to run after them for my hugs and kisses, but that’s okay with me because I would chase them all day long if I had to, just to be able to hold them in my arms.

When my grandchildren are at my house, they know where the books and toys are, where to find their favorite snacks, and where we keep the batteries for the little cars they like to ride. I love the way they make themselves at home whenever they are in my house.

But it’s not only about hugs, kisses, and having fun at their grandparents’ house. What’s more important than that is my commitment to pray for each of them every day:

• I pray that they will always be faithful to God and seek to know, love, and serve Him in this world, so they can be happy with Him in Heaven for all eternity.

• I pray that they will be great leaders who will influence others to dedicate their lives to God.

• I pray that they will always know they are an important part of our family and that I love them.

• I pray that they will learn how to work so they will always be able to support themselves and their future families.

• I pray that they will learn how to be respectful, courteous, charitable, and patient with everyone they come into contact with.

• I pray that my grandchildren will acknowledge that with every gift that God has given them there is an obligation to use that gift to help others grow closer to Him.

• I pray that they will accept whatever suffering comes into their lives and recognize it as an important and necessary path to wisdom and holiness.

What a great gift it has been for me to share in my grandchildren’s lives. Of all the women in the world, God chose me to be a part of their lives. I have held them, fed them, changed their diapers, held their hands as they learned to walk, and cheered them on in their accomplishments. I have eaten meals they have cooked, and they have shared stories with me about their activities and adventures.

I have had well-meaning people tell me that I do too much for my grandchildren and that I need to set aside more time for myself. But those people don’t understand how much joy and happiness I feel when I am with each one of these beautiful children.

How can I ever repay Almighty God for all the precious grandchildren that he has blessed me with? I feel as though the least I can do to show my gratitude is to teach them through my words and example how they can find joy and happiness by serving the people they love the same way that I serve them.

I know that if I do my “job” as a grandmother the way our Lord expects me to do it, my life will be filled with numerous gifts of treasured memories. Just as I have treasured memories of what my parents did for me while I was growing up, I also have treasured memories of shared experiences with my children and grandchildren.

When my husband and I were married over 40 years ago, I did not have enough wisdom or experience to understand what it would mean to me if God granted that special prayer request that was made by our priest — May you live to see your children’s children.

I am so grateful that I was given the grace to live to see the day when that prayer would be answered beyond my wildest dreams.