I have a friend that I met through church.  Her son and his wife were in the process of divorcing and they had joint custody of their son.  He is around 10 years old and his name is Tyler.   Half the time he lived with his dad at my friend's house (his grandmother) and half the time he lived with his mom.   Tyler came to church with Judy (my friend) every Sunday.  He made friends with everyone, a very outgoing and sweet young man.  He helped put out donuts and juice in the cafe and was just a pleasant young man to be around.  Anyway, Judy's son must have had some troubling issues because one Sunday in April Judy received  the news that after she and Tyler had left for church, her son shot and killed himself.  When the funeral was over, Tyler's mother informed Judy that she would not be allowed to see Tyler again.  This of course was devastating for her.  She still attends our church and stands on the belief that she will again be able to have a relationship with Tyler.  She has hired an attorney and has petitioned for Grandparent's visitation rights.  Today was the first hearing on the matter and I was able to testify on her behalf.  I was able to explain that while I didn't know all the circumstances surrounding what might be going on in the family, I did know from the experience of losing my own son just how important the relationship between the child of the deceased and the parent of the deceased was.  Judy was a very important part of Tyler's life and he was a very important part of Judy's life.  Not only did they both experience losing their son/father, but they also were also torn apart from each other.  I am hoping that the Judge heard in his heart what I had to say and that maybe even the Mother's heart will be softened, if not towards Judy, then at least toward Tyler.  Please help me believe that this wrong can be set right and they will be allowed to journey through this grief process together. A story of Clinton still reaching out to me:  When I was over visiting the grandkids the other evening, I was cleaning up supper dishes.  Lying on the kitchen cabinet was a round, red, glass stone.  I picked it up and turned it over.  There was scripture on it from Isaiah 40:31 saying that those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength and rise up on wings like eagles.  I had put that in Clinton's Christmas stocking many years ago.  Keep in mind that I stay with the kids for extended periods of time and often while their mom "just has to get away for while".  I do lots of cleaning while I stay with the kids and I hadn't seen that stone for many years.  It was as if he was reminding me that he is fine and is with Jesus.  How sweet is that kid of mine?!!!!!   I love you Clinton and thanks for the reminders that everything will eventually be right again.