DANNY: I was so proud of him. From the outside looking in, it seemed his life was a mess, but I could see God's hand in everything.
This last year of church I had pulled away because I felt like I was hindering Danny's growth. He kept asking me if he should do this or that or asking how I felt the Praise Service had gone. So when I pulled back I really started to see him grow and rely on God's leading.
He had been living with us for the last six months, so I also saw him grow spiritually in his own life. When Roni and I heard of some of the things that were going on in his life, and some things that were being done and said about him, we both asked him the same thing. (our tempers were too much alike). Why don't you say, or do something?
HIS ANSWER WAS:
"I have to be the bigger man. I cannot let my feelings or hurts interfere with the Church's growth."
I was more proud of him at that moment than I have ever been.
And then I hear of all the wonderful and funny things people have said about him. How his life has made an impact on them. Then I know that HIS desire for his life had been fulfilled.
TO LOVE PEOPLE AND MAKE THEM HAPPY.
Both of my children were that way. They loved people and always wanted lots of people around, the more the better. I was always telling them they were just like their Dad. This is a compliment.
RONI: She loved to talk about anything, everything, and nothing. I will never forget the time that for some reason her friends from church were away for a week. She was just like an addict going through withdraws. I had to take her up to McDonald's and drop her off for a couple of hours just so she could talk to some of her friends there.
I am very proud of her also. She always did her best and ALWAYS went the second mile even when she didn't have to.. She was so excited about being able to start working, that on June 17, 1997 the day she turned 15, she went to McDonald's, put in her application and was hired on the spot, and has worked ever since.
She loved her job at ABIA and I know other insurance places loved her also. On more than one occasion, she sent people to Allstate Insurance because they would get better prices for the insurance they needed.
But to me she will always be my sweet little girl. Our relationship went from Mother & Daughter who could confide in eachother to Best Friends.
The one thing I can say for sure, I have no regrets.
We had a wonderful last Sunday together. All of us in Church. Omar was a little hyper and had to keep coming upstairs to make sure Grandma & Grandpa were still there. When he was sure we were there and were not going to leave him, he was fine again to go back to class.
Funny thing was, we hadn't planned on going to Roni's that day, we had made other plans. But when I went out to my car, there was little Omar. He had opened the door, got into the front seat of my car, and was just sitting there.
When I got in, he folded his little hands in his lap, and just said "OK."
Like everything was good and he knew Grandma would take him wherever he wanted to go.
Marvin and I took Omar and Danny with us; Roni took Gloria and Chelli with her. We went and ate Chinese, Their favorite. All the way to the restaurant, Danny and Omar argued because Danny was calling me mama, and Omar would say, "not mama, Mamma." Danny could not leave it alone, even with a little 2 year old.
Gloria just wanted to be held all day Sunday, which I didn't mind, since that is what Grandma's are for.
It was a very Peaceful and Loving day:
And I Thank God for one more Beautiful Memory with My Kids.
Written & Submitted by, Rhonda Green
