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 delicacy rated 13 months ago -
Last night I attended the wedding shower of a friend. I sat by an older woman, nearing eighty; a family friend of the soon-to-be bride.As we waited for the event to begin we had the chance of visiting and getting to know one another. Based on past experience, I know that often my elders are fill...
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2 Reviews
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- BenWillems rated 13 months ago
- I have to agree with delicacy, this is a great story and an example to follow!
- delicacy rated 13 months ago
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Last night I attended the wedding shower of a friend. I sat by an older woman, nearing eighty; a family friend of the soon-to-be bride.As we waited for the event to begin we had the chance of visiting and getting to know one another. Based on past experience, I know that often my elders are filled with wisdom and insight, and stories of life they love to share, and I love to hear.This lovely woman spoke of her family, her nursing career, and her beliefs. She discussed her children, grandchildren, and great-grand children.One story particularly touched me as no other, and demonstrated the extraordinary love that is possible in humankind.This gentle woman spoke of a great-grand son, a boy of fifteen. A boy who calls her a few times a week to tell her of his high school activities. In the midst of the conversation she stated that this wonderful teenager was not actually her biological great-grand son but she became his grandmother at his birth.I was a bit confused and asked her to share more.This kind woman told the story of how she became the great-grandmother of this boy... a story that will stay in my heart for some time to come.While this boy was yet unborn, his unmarried mother claimed the grandson of my new elderly friend was the father of her child.The mother was addicted to various substances and her life was unhealthy in all respects. She found herself pregnant and wanted a father in the life of her child so picked the grandson of my friend as the possible father. A paternity test was taken and it turned out that indeed the grandson was not the father of this unborn child.But, along the way, my new elderly friend, came to know the circumstances of this mother and her unborn child. There was not a father in the picture. There were no grandparents. There was an unhealthy mother with little ability to support, care, or nurture this new little life about to enter the world. My friend, decided that this little baby would need someone... a grandmother.
So, she volunteered.
At the time of the birth, she was there in the hospital welcoming into our world, this new little baby boy; loving a child who had little chance of having a good life.Now fifteen years later, this grandmother has been the support, and the one light in this boys life. The boy's life has not been easy. At eleven he was removed from his mother's custody and placed with a relative. But throughout his fifteen years, his great-grandmother was there. She is the secure, stable, mature adult in his life. It is his great-grandmother whose love is constant, consistent, and unalterable.I can't really put into words the emotions that come to me as I relate this story. A women in her late sixties, seeing a baby who is born into an unhealthy situation, knowing the baby will need someone to love him, decides she will become his great grandmother.
There truly are amazing people in this world.
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