By Virginia (Ginnylynn) Rodriguez

Pieces of my heart lay scattered on my kitchen floor as I clutched the phone to my ear. "He's not her daddy..." the words echoed in my brain.

Two years prior, when our son was 17, a shocking announcement that his girlfriend was pregnant-he believed by her old boyfriend. Yes, I know. Soap Opera material. His dad and I exhaled a sigh of relief. Oh, no, wait, an addendum he announces, "but it may be mine." All the years of trying to instill moral character and caution just got thrown to the wind in a slit second. Tangle of emotions swirled above our heads. "I plan to raise the baby, even though she might not be mine," he finished stating. We begged, we cajoled to have the paternity test done. They adamantly refused saying it wouldn't make a difference.

We felt his life ruined. Thrown away. Devastation dug it's bony claws into our minds. After my sessions of crying hysterically, being so mad I could spit, we both decided to forgive, embrace them and support them. We've done so for 15 months now. A beautiful, baby girl born. Many features from my son I could see mirrored in her face and toes! Joy unbelievable. Proud Grammy! I went crazy with pride! I was there to see her first moments of life as my son gently laid her in the hospital bassinette after being in the delivery room. Tears of joy ran down all of our faces. Tender moments in the months to come first smile, first clutch of your finger, first coo, first word to Grammy, "ba, ba" as you leave. First birthday with all its celebration. Your heart is full and life is so grand. Until, your son leaves mama and baby for someone else. I think, "well, we still have our granddaughter to love." 

As first mentioned, that evening, standing in my kitchen, clutching the phone with baby's mother, after a paternity test was finally run the prior week, she stated, "your son is not the daddy." My heart imploded and fell onto the floor. All my husband and I could do was hold each other and weep. Our son now doesn't want us to see them. Impossible. Can't be done! We've poured our hearts and soul into this child. To us, she still is our precious grandbaby. How could that have changed in such a short time? 

In his book, And the Angels were Silent, the wonderful author, Max Lucado states regarding a message Jesus said when the costly perfume was poured on his head by Mary. The people around him said it was a waste. "Don't miss it There is a time for risky love. There is a time for extravagant gestures. There is a time to pour out your affections on one you love. and when the time comes--seize it, don't miss it." Little 2 year old Laila is still our granddaughter-she could never be anything else in our hearts. Jesus has planted that seed of love in there and only He can mend my broken heart.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: You can contact Virginia at nitewriter54@yahoo.com or visit her webpage: http://www.ourchurch.com/member/g/grammysroom