You don’t know me yet, but you will soon. I know all about you though, and everything I have heard is that you are as close to perfect as one can be. I know your name, Lennon, and in due time, you will know mine. In fact, I will let you pick it and that will be ours together forever. I wanted to tell you though that before you head home for that first night in your own house with your mom and dad, you are already winning. Let me explain.
I know your mom and dad well. To me, they are also as close to perfect as one can be. I know your dad will make you love the outdoors and your mom will make you love life and appreciate everything around that you have yet to discover. First and foremost, Jesus, and His love and that is your foundation. You haven’t even got into your crib yet and you are up 2-0.
Your mom’s mom and bonus dad are two of the most amazing and loving people on God’s earth and I am telling you sweetheart, you will never lack for anything in the hugs and cuddles and kisses department. Don’t look now but you are winning 4-0 and let’s not stop there.
Your Aunt Abby will drive you insane but in a good way and one that you will come to love because she talks non-stop and that is only because she cares. Your Uncle J.J. will be a famous singer and actor one day and you can tell all your friends in school about him and that will be most cool. They will both love you beyond anything you can imagine.
You are winning 6-0 and we are just getting started.
You should get double points for this and I will allow it. You see your mom’s Nana is pretty special and she has been through a lot in the last year. You will know one day how you coming into this world replaced a lot of pain and heartbreak. You will learn about your Papa and how he was an amazing man and grandpa and you will feel as if he is right there because in many ways, he is.
Your mom’s grandma on my side was pretty special as well and she loved your mom so much. She adored those big brown eyes and talked about your mom to any and everyone. She has been gone for awhile but if you have just one percent of her spirit and moxie, the world will be yours. As with your papa, you will hear a lot about your Bammy and it will be as if they were with you the whole time.
Don’t blink, but when we add your Nana, Papa and Bammy, you are up 9-0. 7-0 is usually called a skunk, I will explain what that means one day, but we have one more.
Me. I am a complicated guy who carried a lot of angst and doubt and self-inflicted wounds in life and relationships. You will not experience or see any of that. This side with extended family is a bit complicated but you will have plenty of time to figure that out if you want to. I did have a person in my life who was the epitome of love and kindness and warmth, my grandpa, who was the example of what a strong man and grandpa should be. His spirit is in me and guess what, it is in you.
I have been asked what I will teach you and much to everyone’s surprise, it is not yelling at traffic. Or red lights. Or football teams when they shotgun snap from the 1-yard line. Maybe teach you why Miami Vice was the best T.V. show ever? We have plenty of time to figure that out.
10-0 and you have only been in this world a few hours. Winning forever. Also, this is only one side. Your dad has as many or more examples.
Welcome to the world, Lennon Landrum.
