April 12th - 17th 2023
Traveling to Illinois has always been one of my favorite destinations. The bustling city of Chicago, known as the Windy City, offers a plethora of attractions. On this visit, I decided to stay closer to where Darius resides, enabling me to spend ample time with my new grandson. Meeting Shanetra, my grandson's mother, and Darius' girlfriend, was a delightful experience. I had the pleasure of getting to know her and her family, including her other children. We attended church together and shared a fantastic dinner at her grandmother's home, which was a memorable experience in itself. The warm welcome I received made me feel like an honorary member of their family.
The highlight of my trip was the quality time I spent with Nova and Shi, as well as Darius and Nova. My grandkids bring me immense joy. Nova, with her mature and humorous personality, never fails to make me smile. Although Shi is just a baby, I can already see traits of both his mother and father in him. He is inquisitive, friendly, and shows signs of strong character.
Spending time with Darius is always nourishing for my soul. While we have faced challenges in the past, the last two years have been dedicated to healing and deepening our understanding of each other, which warms my heart. Witnessing Darius' commitment to becoming a responsible father and a better son and man is truly remarkable. Given his difficult background, it isn't easy to break free from it, but he fights daily to stay on the right path, and that fills me with pride. Parenthood is no easy feat, but seeing him excel in this role brings me great satisfaction.
During our conversations, Darius expressed his feelings of loneliness, as his immediate family resides far away. Although I reminded him that distance is relative and I am just a phone call or plane ticket away, I sensed that my words did not entirely alleviate his concerns. This leaves me pondering on how I can further comfort and support him.
Having two sons living in different states, I grapple with the challenge of meeting the needs of both while also satisfying my yearning to travel abroad. It is an ongoing contemplation that occupies my thoughts.
Nevertheless, these considerations do not diminish the joy I experience when spending time with my loved ones. The bonds we share, the memories we create, and the growth we witness in each other make all the effort worthwhile.
Nova 3 years
Shi'Darius about 3 weeks
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