Keith, where ever you are and what ever you’re doing, take a moment to listen to this. I’m about to share news with you that you probably already know. On July 10, 2019 at 7:58 PM, you became a grandfather. His name is Raymond Keith Foy, and he was born a healthy 7 lbs, 3 oz. Your daughter is now a mother.
I’ve tried hard to disconnect the feelings of losing you from the joy of this new life. I have to confess, it has been difficult. I know I felt joy at the news that Christie was getting married. I felt the lose of you not being there to walk her down the aisle. I have not spoken to Brandon in over five years. We both missed you so deeply that we could not see each other’s pain. We could not understand the hateful things we were saying and doing to each other while wearing our blinders of grief. More than anything, he reminds me of you in so many ways, it hurt to be around him. I have to confess – I know very little of how your children are doing, feeling, thriving in this world we must maneuver. I know I promised you I would look out for them. I apologize – I have not held up my end of the bargain on that. I should have known that I couldn’t. After all, there are some people who are the glue that holds everyone around them together. You were one of those people.
I can tell you that from what I do know, they never needed me looking out for them. From what I can gather, Christie is as smart as ever and fell in love with an awesome guy with an awesome family. A family that added a new member 10 days ago. Brandon gets more handsome every day, loves music and concerts, and travels a lot like his father did. They are thriving, despite my absence, or maybe because of my absence. It does not change the fact that I think of them often, praying that they have everything they could possibly need to live a happy life in the absence of their father.
So, putting all those feeling of grief and guilt aside, I need to share a few thoughts with your grandson, Keith.
Baby Ray, you are loved beyond words. You have one really cool grandmother, Denise, who is over the moon with joy that you exist. You are surrounded by your father and his family, who will forever protect and care for you. You won the mother lottery. I knew shortly after getting to know her that she is so very special in so many different ways. I can see her being one of those Panda-Tiger hybrid moms – neither to overbearing or to soft. Just right. She’ll make it magically better when you are down, or sick, or wounded. If you end up playing soccer or lacrosse, she’s gonna yell at you from the side lines and bring a marine cooler full of juice boxes and trail mix, cause that’s what her dad did. She’ll make faces at you that will have you giggling for hours. She’ll show you what it means to work hard and get ahead in this world. You will apprentice with her in the art of dog love, which comes naturally to her. One warning – Don’t lie or cheat or bull shit her – cause your mother will call you out on it in a heartbeat. Know that she has the softest heart and the toughest mind. She comes by it honestly, thanks to your grandfather. Oh – and he’s keeping an eye on you too.
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