Letter to My Children (March 27, 2020)

 

Dear Jonathan, Sarah, Josh, and Christina,

How are you all? How are my grandbabies? I am sure Penny, Weston, and Jackson don’t consider themselves ‘babies’! Here is a photo of Aunt Jackie hiking on the beach with baby Noah. This was taken in June of 2011, one month before Pastor Scott and Pastor Zarou told your dad to put me away. Beginning the dissolution of our lovely family.

With so many staying home from work and school, the neighbors take walks often. It has been seven months here at the new house, and folks know I have three young grandsons. Yesterday one asked how my grandsons are, missing their chatty voices. Fairly new neighbors, affected by the absence of childish voices playing outside.

How much more has your absence affected us? Do you know how it has hurt your mom and dad? Hurt your sister and your three young nephews. Hurt Grampa and Gramma, and Aunt Jackie and Uncle David. Hurt Brad, Jac, Jordan. Hurt Grampa and Uncle Mark and Jamie and Megan and Uncle Joe and Aunt Connie. Hurt Billy, Vanessa, Ethan. Hurt Uncle Patrick and Isabelle. Hurt Aunt Nancy. Hurt Uncle David and Aunt Tracey and Emily and Morgan. Hurt Aunt Suzanne and Alexandre. This is just our immediate family. The list of extended family and old friends is much longer.

Nearly ten years after this photo was taken, you still follow the advice of bad men, who take away from you. Who hurt rather than heal. Who take rather than give. Who weaken rather than strengthen. Who isolate rather than communicate. These are actions. And actions speak loudly to the character of the individual. And the proof is in the hundreds of old photos like this one. Photos of family and relatives and friends together. Making memories that will last a lifetime. I love you all. God bless the grandchildren and keep you all safe. Please call if there is anything I can do for you.

Xo Mom