The Next Generation

His hands wrinkled, twisted and calloused from time and hard work reached down to pull the soft blanket gently back. Smiling his eyes beaming with tears, he gently lifted the little bundle up. His heart stilled from joy and happiness. His feelings overpowering him as his eyes gazed upon this small child. He had only been blessed with a daughter, now she had blessed him with this small child the next generation, a boy named for him and after his own father. He could not explain the tears in his eyes as he rubbed his eyes, pride overwhelming him as he lay the little one back down.
He knew that he would not live to see him grown; time was against him on that. Now an increasing yearning came from within him as his mind raced to days ahead. He would make the most of them. He would make the necessary arrangements so that he would be able to have this land and farm. This was the place of his birth; the right of passage would go to him. His name would enable all that he would need if he would use it wisely, respecting the heritage that was his. Then another day and time would bring this time once again and it would come to him, another generation would be born.
The years continued on as the baby grew into a young boy, his Grandpa growing frailer. A knock that day on the door startled the woman as she answered it. Needing no words she knew her dad was gone. Shaking her head in a thank you she closed the door and called her son into the room, he knew something was wrong from the choked sound of her voice as she hugged him close. "Son Grandpa has gone on," as he wrapped his arms around her tears falling down his young cheeks for the man he loved so much.
The weather was cold and dreary, the ground frozen hard, as the snow kept falling, the men digging his grave never complained. The preacher arrived as the team pulled the old wagon with his wooden casket up the hill. The boy and his mother stood quietly as the preacher uttered words from the good book. Heads bowed the young man stood up, "don't worry Grandpa, I'll take care of the farm and mom, someday I'll have a son to honor you, goodbye Grandpa I'll miss you."
Years passing now the boy became a man, marrying and working the farm. His life full as his work filled most of his days and from time to time he would visit Grandpa, letting him know that things were good. As he worked the field he thought he heard a voice calling him as he ran toward the house. The door was open and his wife calling out to him, telling him it was time to get the doctor. Off he ran, wasting no time, he came with the doctor. He could hear the sounds as he paced the wooden floor, his heart racing with fear an excitement, hands wrenched in sweat as the doctor opened the door telling him to come in, that his son was here. Smiling, with tears in his eyes he looked at his wife, pride filling him as she placed the small bundle in his calloused hands. Taking the little one he held him close, smiling wiping away the tears he looked up above. "This one is for you Grandpa all will be well now, the next generation is here," as he laid the little bundle back into his wife's arms. Kissing her he went back to work, the farm needing tending, another generation was now waiting in the wings, he had to keep it going with no time to waste.