A Letter to My Grandson, Henry, on the Occasion of his Second Birthday

Dear Henry,

Today marks your second birthday. Even though you have been in our family for just two short years, we hardly remember a time when you were not here. You have been an incredible source of joy for your parents, grandparents and all who have come to know you and love you.

Proverbs 17:6 tells us that "children's children are the crown of old men." That simply means that I (we) think you are incredible in every way. For me, it has been special to watch you grow, although we have not been as close to you this past year as your first.

Our family has seen some major changes. Fern (Mimi) and I have returned to Virginia where we both are teaching as adjunct professors at Liberty University. And your family moved from Missouri to Oklahoma when your Dad joined the faculty at Oklahoma Baptist University. The most difficult part of that transition has been not getting to see you and play with you every day and get wonderful hugs.

In the past year you have grown remarkably. Although all of us wish that you might have packed on a few more pounds and slept a little more, your physical growth has not been the most exciting even though you’ve learned to walk, talk, and play this year. To watch you grow in your language skills, your relationship skills, your love for being read to, and your zest for life is the part that we have been most astounded by! You are growing up right on schedule as God planned for you and for that, we are grateful.

Even though we do not get to see you daily, please know, however, that we think of you and pray for you every single day.

Now, along with giving you an incredible Mom and Dad who take great care of you, God is going to give you a little brother very soon. You do not really know what that means now, but God is getting ready to make you a big brother. That is an awesome thing! When this new little guy arrives, he will grow to become your best friend. It is really special to have a brother or a sister. Your Dad has Uncle Patrick, and your Mom has Aunt Hilary. They each are very special relationships. And now, you get to have that very special relationship as well.

Henry, you are loved more than words can describe. All of us in your family want to see you continue to grow and develop, and become everything God intended when He first created you.

You are growing up in a world that can be scary and wicked in too many places. It seems that darkness is really dark, but light is really light. My prayer for you is that you embrace God's light and that you let it shine through your life. Scripture tells us that Jesus came to be the light of the world and that He came to bring light and life to everyone. Of course you do not know what this means now, but in time you will.

I pray that God's hand of protection, guidance, and blessing will be upon you all the days of your life and that you will completely fulfill the will of God for your life. I am confident that God created you for a purpose and we pray that as time passes you will grow to embrace that purpose and live your life to the fullest. I believe in you and look forward to seeing God do great things in your life. As you launch into the "Terrific Twos," we are excited to see what life brings your way.

We all love you more than you will ever know.

With much love and gratitude to God for you,

Your Granddaddy (GaGa)

Dr. Jerry Sutton