Mama and I stood on the large screened-in back porch for awhile, observing nothing short of pure joy in action. Layla and Buddy were in full romp and the yard was full of kids. They were all chasing Buddy as Buddy gleefully ran circles around them. I suddenly felt tears in my eyes, watching my girl in such happiness. Feeling the gratitude for Mama in that moment too, I said, “Thank you, Mama. Thank you for everything. I don’t know what we would have done without you.”

There was a long pause, more of Mama’s deep silence. I could feel my heart beating slowly in my chest. My senses were heightened as I fully took the entire scene in, and then Mama said, “Child, you and Layla and Maggie is my family and I’ve been waitin’ my whole life for our little angel out there playin’ in the yard. Come over here and sit down with me on the porch swing, Mr. Jim. The Lord has been speakin’ to me all mornin’ and I need to share with you what’s been comin’ through.”

We sat down and there was more silence. We rocked on the old chair, watching Layla and Buddy and the other kids, who still hadn’t noticed us.