July 2006: Discoveries (cont.)

The last evening, I tucked him in and sat down to recite the long list of traits that—despite our occasional head bumping—I liked and admired about him. I ended by telling him how much of his daddy I could see in him. “Your daddy was my little boy,” I said, “and I’m so very sad—as you are—that we’re losing him. But I see you and know I’ll always have some of the best parts of your daddy, because I’ll have you.”

Brannon was one happy boy when I delivered him back to his mother. I was one happy Grandma when I returned to the familiar serenity of my home. We had both been stretched and our obligatory affection for one another challenged. Most important of all, though, we have, I hope, both found something new in one another . . . the beginnings of a deeper love.

Next summer . . . another grandchild, more discoveries.