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For my third week of renewal leave, I’m staying with my son and his family in Austin, Texas.

At the end of October, 2025, my son and daughter-in-law became the parents of fraternal twin daughters… and I became a first-time grandfather (I’ve since added a third granddaughter, when my daughter gave birth in February!) Though I was already hoping to spend time with my all three of granddaughters during my renewal leave, the twins nanny recently quit – abruptly – creating a perfect excuse for me to book a flight to Austin!

Next week the twins will be six months old. Though I was present for their birth, and then for a week in November, and then for Christmas, I’ve not seen them since they were only two months old. Needless to say, a lot has changed in four months! They’ve grown! They’ve found their voices (and volume!). They’re sleeping through the night (mostly). They’re rolling over on their own. And they’re both revealing their own unique personalities.

Did I mention that both are 100% adorable? Did I mention that both have completely captured my heart?

As the week began, I was a total stranger to both. Though I’ve thought about them every day since their birth, they’re obviously too young to remember me. And, at first, at least one wasn’t too sure about this stranger holding her.

Thankfully it didn’t take long for them to warm up to me, to smile and laugh for me, and to feel comfortable napping in my arms.

(Did I mention the diapers? There’s been a LOT of diapers!)

They also feel entirely comfortable tugging on my beard, squeezing my nose, spitting up on my shirt, and drooling wherever. They’re also unreserved in expressing their extreme displeasure when I’m not fulfilling whatever want they have. That’s all fine. I don’t mind at all.

But when my Grandpa/nanny duties end and I return to Orlando, it won’t be long before they forget me. They’re long-term memory just hasn’t developed yet. That comes later. The next time they see me, despite this week’s bonding, I’ll be a stranger all over again. That won’t always be true, of course. But it’s reality for now.

Nevertheless, I’ll never forget this week. I’ll never forget the precious moments they’ve nuzzled their faces in my neck, or relaxed trustingly in my arms, or spontaneously given me a sweet smile. Of course, I look forward to many more such memories with them in the future. But those new memories will only add to a precious collection I already cherish.

Everyday I’ve told both that I love them, and that I always will.  They won’t remember that either. Not yet.  But one day they will, and they’ll know there hasn’t been a moment of their short lives that I haven’t, or ever be a future moment that I won’t.

Some pastors use their renewal leaves to travel to exotic locales, or for in-depth study, or to accomplish some great goal. Does Austin, Texas count? Does learning how to care for infant twin girls count? Do countless bottles, naps, diapers, burps, spit-up and drool, a little crying, and hours of cuddle and play count?

Who cares. I wouldn’t trade this week for anything!