Lenny

     Lenny is a sweet child of God. I've known him since the beginning of his existence. From the moment my daughter told me she was pregnant. Young, not married to a man who seemed to be as lost as she was, she had this perfect baby boy. Our Lenny. He was to be the first of my 11 grandchildren. My other girls contributed to the fold of cours,. But Lenny holds a special place in my heart. I am his second mother, and to me really, his first mommy. My daughter has struggled. Struggled with her own identity. Yes, she was so young when she had him, but not so young to not have been able to see what preciousness had been given to her by God. Maybe she didn't see because she didn't have time. She immediately got pregnant again by the same man and our sweet Marley, a precious baby girl was born less than a year later. 

     Back to Lenny. He has grown tall through the years like his father but with the heart as big as the sea. He brings such joy to me every time I see him. He loves his GG and he knows his GG loves him. Nothing will ever take that away from us. Turning into a teenager I see a sense of wondering in his eyes . All the emotions and questions of growing up have been a life experience already for him. Having to fend for himself many times, he is extremely savvy on things of this world I'm sure most 15-year-olds haven't understood yet. But oh! That heart! Like I said, as big as the sea. That genuine love that just pours out the instant you meet him or talk to him. He is a joy. 

     He is so smart. He can pick up any musical instrument and play it after just a short time of listening. If he handles himself in this tough world, he will succeed in anything. Oh what a great sense of humor he has also. He can make anybody laugh. He is still a child. All teenagers are still babies. They still need nurturing. They need security. They need love. Especially in this day and age when God is not talked to them and upheld strongly in the home. They need God and the Sacraments more than ever! All of them. They need daily reminders that you must give it to God for it is His. They themselves are His so therefore they remain His. Forever.. Especially if they were baptized Catholic. Like Lenny was. Being thrown into the arena with a bunch of wolves is terrifying enough for an adult, let alone a child. So many children are though, and we expect them to survive. Not fair. 

     His mother doesn't like me very much right now because of her inability to grow up. It happens. I pray for her daily and think about her all the time. It makes me sad to know she is wasting such precious time. Lenny's visits have grown sparse since this decision she has made to make me suffer without getting to see them. I offer up this suffering up and it makes me feel better. But oh! How I miss him....

     Lenny, if someday you read this, just know your GG loves you forever. But most of all, most important, Jesus loves you, and that you can bank on for sure.??