I remember when Glenn and I lost our son Jeffrey Scott in 1979. During the grief process, I asked Glenn if my thoughts about Jeffrey would ever end. Glenn said "do you think about our other children every day?"......that answer sustained me because I realized that it's ok to think about all of my children, every day. That's how it is for our grandson, Glennie.
Today is Glennie's birthday. He would be six years old and in Kindergarten. I know because he is two days older than Evelyn. Glennie was born to be a big brother. He would be the big brother to Jeff and Jack and keep them in line. Glennie had the same sense of quirky humor, just like his Dad. I know because even though Glennie couldn't speak, he was totally aware and involved with his surroundings at all times. One evening, I was visiting and caring for him during a long stay at CHOP. It was a Friday evening, I got there after work, relieved Amanda and Glenn so they could get dinner and relax and asked Glennie if he wanted to watch Sponge Bob. Well, Glennie LOVED Sponge Bob. His face would "move" to the music and he smiled when Sponge Bob got into trouble usually grilling crabby patties at the grill. Glenn Jr. always packed the play station so we could play the DVD's at the hospital. The parents left, I put the disc in the play station and the preview started playing. I sat on the stool right by Glennie's side, leafing through a magazine. My body and face was right next to Glennie so I could smile with him, stroke his hand (and look at my magazine at the same time). The music was playing, all is well in the world and I looked over at Glennie to give him that "grandmotherly" smile....smooch...smooch and I note this FROWN and furring of his eyebrows with daggers shooting out of his eyeballs staring right at me. I said...."Glennie, what is the problem?.....oh my goodness, what can I do to help you....." Frown, frown, frown....suddenly his eyes move toward the TV and I realized that the preview was repeating itself over and over because his Grandmother has a mental and physical limitation when it comes to using electronics. I jumped off of the stool, Glennie followed me with his eyes...to say "it's about time....how is that magazine?"...and called Glenn Jr., frantic and laughing so hard to get the instructions, step by step to work the play station. Glenn Jr., gave me "play station 101" and the cartoon started playing. Glennie's body relaxed, I sat down at the side of his bed and said "hey, big guy....I'm sorry!" He looked at me out of the side of his face and focused on the cartoon. That was how we knew that Glennie was communicating with us every day, every hour, every minute.....he was the best of all of us. He was the reason that when you were angry, or jealous, or cranky...you re-evaluated your core and realized the blessings of your own life. Glennie reminded all of us how to live....I pray that we never forget those lessons. I know I will never forget and I know that I need to wish Glennie Happy Birthday.....Love, Granddad, Grandma, Dad, Mom, Jeff, Jack, Sponge Bob and Patrick. Have a crabby patty on us!!!!! We love you...always and forever....
If you are reading my blog, please read Amanda's blog about Glennie.....it's beautiful....
http://wife-usmc.blogspot.com/
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