The Little Blonde Boy and The Rock

My nephew Johnny is getting married on April 1st to a wonderful young lady named Myah. They have been together several years and have two lovely children named Jordan and Aiden. The family unit is strong and will get  even more so as the years go on. My sister Lisa requested that I say a toast at the reception. And, I will. Various thoughts are flying through my mind and heart. I think the heart will win my comments. Of course, I will toast the future and much happiness that will happen to the couple. But, I will also toast the past... Johnny was the first of two grandchildren in the family [ Joey is his younger brother] and, as such, was the center of attention. He was a blonde haired angel who was the sweetest and cutest child imaginable. Very polite, very well mannered. At the time of his birth, in 1984, I really didn't have much experience with babies. I was 18. I dared to put this child in my arms and hold him and bounce him on my knee. And, a part of my heart that was dormant with children started beating. Minutes became hours. I loved it!!! And, being an Uncle has the benefit of when the kid needs to be changed,you hand him to his Mother....No doubt he was spoiled by his '' Gamma'' and his ''Papa'' and his Uncles Tom and Jim. When Johnny started riding his bike, my Dad, brother, and myself were circled around him like the Guardian Angels. No way was he getting out of our site!!! And, he did very well!!! Johnny has always picked things up naturally. He has that ability... At the end of any visit, while the sun was slowly setting, Johnny and Papa would take their walk together. Grandfather and Grandson. What they talked about was between them and is their bond. Perhaps Johnny doesn't even remember the talks, but, they are a source of warm moments  for the rest of us. The highlight was when Papa took Johnny down the block to see the Rock.... At the end of my parents block was a big rock stationed on a neighbors lawn.Why it was there I don't know, but, Johnny loved it. He always requested to go-- and, only with Papa. That was the center of his relationship with my Dad. Till the day he died, there was nothing my Dad treasured more than that time with Johnny. The sweetest moment was when Johnny, at the age of 7, had just lost the dog he loved, to death. By coincidence, Dad lost the family dog around the same time. They took the walk to the rock. Dad said Johnny was very quiet. Finally, Johnny asked Dad how he was holding up with Poco, our dog.Dad said he was sad. Dad then asked Johnny how he was feeling losing his dog Beggar. Johnny said he was sad. Another long silence. Then Johnny said, '' Its really tough, but, don't worry Papa,we will be okay.'' Even at that sad time, he was thoughtful.... As time went on, and, after his brother was born, Johnny emerged into a fine young man whose hair turned to brown. There was something nice and sad about his appearance changing. Nice because he still is good looking, sad because the child was going away. And, now he is a man. A sensitive, caring young man. I am proud of him. A strong father and man who will never lose those traits.... This is a little of what I'm thinking to say at the reception. The little boy who loved to see the Rock with Papa... The ebb and flow of life... The child is gone, but, long live the man!!!