Page 41 of A Taste of Grace
Three months after Solomon was born, our growing family visited Grace’s hometown before the Christmas holiday.
During Grace’s pregnancy, we traveled back and forth to Alabama, eventually clearing out her parents’ house and selling it to a nice couple who just moved to the community.
For the past few days, Grace showed us the area where she grew up and introduced me to several people who knew and respected her educator parents.
Our final stop before returning to Farmerton was at the cemetery where her parents were buried.
She had invested in headstones that displayed pictures of the three of them over the years.
As we stood overlooking the pristine cemetery, I silently thanked God for the man and woman who gave me my Grace.
Her intelligence and boundless love made my days easier and my nights full of fire.
The girls sat on a bench near the graves as Grace held a sleeping Solomon in her arms. On our way to the cemetery, we talked to the girls about heaven and told them this was our time to honor Grace’s mother and father.
“Your parents would be so proud of you.” I spoke the words as I rubbed her shoulders.
“Thank you, baby. I believe that. I didn’t know how I would feel coming here, but I’m at peace. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
“You’ve been faithful in every area of your life. You’re never alone. We all adore you and value your leadership.”
Since Grace’s testimony at church, she guided a mental wellness initiative for our congregation and formed a nonprofit that combined her passion for racial equity, education, and wellness.
Under her leadership, Haven of Hope and Blessings was becoming a model of holistic care, garnering state grants that made us a go-to location to address racial disparities and suicide prevention in the region.
Grace hummed softly, rocking Solomon, whose deep dimples mirrored hers. She smiled toward the girls, who were engrossed in a PBS Kids show on their tablets. She smiled at me too, her eyes misty.
“Our kids deserve all the love life offers. This is an investment in our legacy, and I’m so honored to travel this journey with you.”
I embraced Grace and held our growing family in my arms. This happily ever after wasn’t what I imagined, but it showed me that God’s plan was better than anything I could have crafted without Him.
The End