My grandson teaches me faith and courage
By Leatrice Cooper
Don Schmitz & Grandkidsandme

I was sixty-two-years-old, overcome with joy and excitement as I awaited the birth of my first grandson. Anticipation filled my heart. Who would he look like? What would his name be? Would the new baby be healthy with ten little fingers and toes? 

Finally the big day arrived. I received a call from my son-in-law at Riverview Hospital that a bouncing nine-pound baby boy had arrived that morning. My eyes were filled with tears knowing that he was here. In my heart I said, "Thank you God!" He was to be named Andrew. 

A short time later, the Doctor told us that Andrew's right arm was paralyzed from nerve damage during the delivery. My heart sank. All of my being wanted to shield Andrew's parents from the sadness of having a newborn baby that wasn't perfect. The doctors searched all potential remedies in an attempt to suit our mutual pain, but not could be found. Finally, I wrote my daughter a long letter saying, "We will just have to let it go and pray that Andrew will adjust as he grows up." Miraculously, soon after I wrote that letter, Andrew's arm did show signs of improvement. 

When he started school he wasn't able to participate like the other kids in PE classes. On his report card he would receive "E's" for his efforts. Today he came home with two A's, one of which was in physical education. He plays baseball and although it is a stretch to reach up and catch the baseball, he never gives up. 

When he was five, Andrew planted a yellow sunflower seed in a deep hole of sandy soil with little preparation and little care. Grandpa and Grandma knew it would never grow so we considered buying a plant that had already bloomed. Oh ye of little faith! Andrew called every day, "Grandma did my plant bloom yet?" "No, not yet" I would say. One day, it started growing and bloomed into a stately yellow sunflower. It reminded me of a verse in the Bible that says, "If you have faith as a little mustard seed, nothing shall be impossible to you." Ah, the faith of a child! What powerful lessons we can learn from their simple uncluttered vision.

Today, I received this poem from Andrew with a note that read, "To My Grandma Lee…With Love From Andrew."

What I like about autumn
By Andrew , Age 11, Andover, MN.

I believe 'autumn is Thanksgiving for squirrels'.

I like the leaves turning golden brown.
I like the nice autumn breeze.
I like the warm hot chocolate sitting by the fire.

The crackling of the leaves as you step on them
The birds going south
Thanksgiving and those yummy pies
Squirrels gathering acorns for their winter sleep

But most of all, I like the corn ripening in the fields.
Now the squirrels will be safe through their long winter sleep. 

Andrew is the love of my life. Whether it's from years of therapy, loving parents and extended family, I don't know. He seems to have the attitude of "Hey world, what's the big deal? I can do what anyone else can do. Why would you expect anything different?"

Don Schmitz is a popular speaker and writer on parenting and grandparenting. He is the author of The New Face of Grandparenting…Why Parents Need Their Own Parents and founder of The Grandkidsandme Foundation and Grandparent Camps. Don holds graduate degrees in Education, Administration and Human Development. He is the father to three sons and nine grandchildren. Contact Don@grandkidsandme.com