The photo is not the person I wish to acknowledge.  I know a woman who is a grandmother and her role in her grandson’s life was crucial.  Her youngest son impregnated a young woman.  The couple was not only unprepared to marry but not actually ready to parent either.

Into this young family’s support came the grandmother.  For four years, she was the dominant support in this young child’s life including where he slept at night – most nights.  This gave time for the young couple to mature without being entirely out of their child’s life.  I was the fortunate witness of the grandmother’s devotion to her grandson.

Just before the boy was to enter kindergarten, his parents brought him great joy by deciding to marry.  Making that commitment to one another official, changed the young mother seemingly overnight.  In my friend’s perspective, the young woman became a Super Mom heavily involved with her child’s public school.  The young boy lives full time with his parents now.

This is the difference a strong familial support can make in a young person’s life.  This is family preservation as it ought to be, though sadly not always.