Good Grief, he’s 18

Today in church, the birthday blessing featured one special young man, who turned 18 on Thursday. I’m proud of Edward because he’s come so far in his short life, and I’m proud of his aunt, my friend Mandy, because she’s help bring him to the point he’s at today.

She’s had custody of him from the time he was 12 or 13 (I forget exactly when). Initially it was meant to be temporary, but when that first period of just a few months was over, Edward asked to stay with Mandy. I would say begged, but he didn’t have to go that far. Mandy was willing to take him on full-time for the rest of his childhood.

His younger years, the first few of elementary school, at least, were rough. Things were bad at home and Edward was struggling in school. He was placed in a special ed. class, where he was lucky enough to have teachers who recognized his problems weren’t intellectual, they were a result of a bad home life. They encouraged him to do more and be more, knowing he was capable of it.

One of those teachers was another friend, Karen, who also went to my church. She usually attended a Saturday evening service, while Edward and Mandy went Sunday mornings. However, there was a Good Friday service where we all attended. Edward couldn’t wait to tell her about an award he’d received at school, and Karen was thrilled to hear about it.

I talked to Mandy after church today, and she’s worried about him as an adult. All parents do that, I think, at least the ones who care. However, Mandy has a particular reason to be concerned, Back in the day, she had dropped out of high school to raise her two brothers. One thanks her to do this day for her commitment and sacrifice, the other, Edward’s father, blames her for everything. I mean, even really stupid stuff. That’s who he is and Mandy knows it’s about him and not her, but she’s afraid Edward will take after his father. I don’t think she has to worry, but I understand her concern.

Edward is a great kid, I mean, young man, and so much of that is due to Mandy’s care of and love for him. I’ve known him and Mandy since he was 2 or 3, and watched both of them grow. I believe he’ll do well in the future. I believe in him, just as I believe in Mandy. Who, by the way, went on to get her GED. She didn’t let her past stop her.

Image Credits: Growth © artrachen–stock.adobe.com; Academic Achievement © Mallva–stock.adobe.com