Eighteen years ago this week, I thought a big part of my life was over. Chuck was playing his last basketball game of his high school career and I was pretty sure he would never play competitively again. I was right. I wondered how I would fill my time. He was graduating in a few months and wouldn’t need me anymore. But one week later, things would change.
A beautiful little boy named Tyler Grant Ford was born. My whole life was about to change. I had someone new that needed me. So the next eighteen years have been spent loving and worrying about this precious boy. I got to watch him throw his first ball, learn to swim, start school, learn to play basketball and baseball. I tried to make most of his games and cherish every moment of each day with him because I knew one day far too soon, it would be over. I am sure having a doting grandmother around became a little tiring sometimes, but he tolerated me. He got tired of me taking pictures and documenting every little step in his life. But I am so glad I did. He will never know how many wonderful memories he has given me. I just hope he has the patience to deal with me the next few months. I am going to be a little sad to see this part of his life come to an end. But I know great things also lie ahead for him.
