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Absent Grandparents

Today my oldest granddaughter celebrated her 16th birthday, a milestone for teens.  I would have liked to celebrate this day with her, but she is absent in my life on the wishes of my daughter and son-in-law.  It isn’t just her but all 4 of my grandchildren who I miss every single day.  There is not a day goes by that I don’t pray for them or think of them.

To explain the reason for this absence would take awhile, not sure if it would matter to many, but because there are many grandparents removed from their grandchildren’s lives, I want them all to know I support them, feel for them and pray for them.

A Letter to My Granddaughter Caroline

Dear Sweet Caroline,

Another year has gone by and God has blessed you with another celebration of life. Happy Sweet 16! I know that this is a milestone for you as it is with all teens. I would like you to know that there is not a day that goes by that I don’t think of you, your brother or sisters. Someday, I hope you will reach out to your Nana, but if not, know that you are loved very much. Before you were born that day, with possible complications, I went to the chapel of the hospital and prayed for a long time. Then when you came into the world, I was able to see you within minutes, along with your dad before they brought your mom up to the Neonatal room. I prayed at that moment over your little body and consecrated you to the Holy Mother.

Although it would be years after that your mommy and daddy would learn that you were born a Trisomy 14, you were a miracle as is evident today with your beauty. Sixteen years have passed and you have succeeded beyond expectation. Nana is proud of you and still will always remember staying with you overnight in the pediatric unit, holding you and rocking you, not able to fall asleep while I held you.

Your artistic ability that you have, loving to color and write are all a part of my memories, which will last forever. May this day be a fun day full of love, laughter, and sweets, I will always love you, Caroline.

Love, Nana


Lynn Forrester-Pitocco
Lynn Forrester-Pitocco
LYNN is Retired from Law Enforcement as a Police Officer, with a background in nursing and previously a member of the Search and Rescue Team with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, A retired member of the Orange Police Department, she became the first female SWAT member on an elite team while becoming a member of the Olympic Shooting Team during the early years on the department. A mother and a grandmother, a devout Catholic who currently resides in Houston, Texas. Her hobbies include writing, painting, and a contemplative prayer life. She is in love with her faith, but the love she carries for her two grown children and grandchildren who rest in her heart surpasses everything except her faith in God. Since retirement, Lynn has done private investigation, worked as a gang counselor with middle schools, A member of Bl. Mother Teresa’s Order called the (Lay Missionaries of Charity), she is also a pro-life advocate, often called upon to give testimony and speak to youth groups, as well as adult forums. She has published a children’s book entitled “The Children’s Garden” and is currently working on two additional children’s books. She is currently working on the major one focused on her experience in Law Enforcement entitled “Heels and a Badge”. (copyright). Her paintings and sketches, writings, can be viewed on her Pinterest boards (click on the Pinterest ICON below). Her dream is to one-day write a movie for Hallmark. Dreams do come true … See Lynn’s entire collection of thought-provoking Articles by clicking on her byline. Lynn is a contributing author to the inspiring book Chaos to Clarity: Sacred Stories of Transformational Change.

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