[Believe51]

We raise our children with love and guidance, we teach them everything we know, the best way we know how. We protect them, we love them unconditionally, we hope for the best. Of course we want them to flourish into the best human beings that they are capable of becoming. Those lessons we teach them and we hope they we listening to, we watch if they actually were.

But some lessons we can not teach, they must learn other things life gives us sometimes in a terrble way. The beautiful part of your story, Eric is that these wonderful children of yours have learned so much from Caryn and you. They have also learned so unfairly of the other side of life. One you cannot shield them from as much as I know we all want to.

As Tia gets older and watches her Grandpa Ed lose his hair, be too tired or sick for company, have an appointment that interferes with her bonding time, she never complains. In her own little 5 year old mind (ok, maybe 9 yr old mind~smiling) she understands what is happening. She is starting to ask questions and give back compassion and support, she knows Grandpa is sick. Like we do with our children, I supply her only with what I think a 5 year old mind can handle and try to protect her from the details until she is ready. She has started to really support me through my husbands illness, a 5 year old, it is fascinating to me and has allowed us to bond more than I ever thought possible.

These children you have raised have taken all of your lessons and those handed to them in life and made the best of them. It is sad but it is more special and beautiful that they have, in a sense, found their way through together. You both are very spectacular parents and I am so proud of your two amazing children. They are always included in the prayers I say for Caryn and you. You must be floating on a cloud to see these once helpless creatures turn into these unique individuals. Looks to me like they were listening all the way though. (and that was a giant wink!)

Now, I managed to conquer the avatar, let me see if I can master the 'picture in the post' so I can have proof I am Grandma Marie. Obviously you cannot see they white hair in my picture..hahaha. Thanks for this post, it made me smile hard to see the side of the 'silent sufferers', our sweet children and grandchildren who too endure their own strengths. May God bless them continually as the walk the walk with us. Love.>>Believe51