Drove home from Peachtree City this morning under a rainy sky. The clouds all gathered together rolled up in lines of gray and blue and purple, spitting just enough rain to be aggravating — wipers, no wipers, wipers, no wipers. Never fails when I come home from visiting the grandchildren, when I drive by the “Welcome to Alabama” sign, the sun will find a way to break through the clouds welcoming me home. The sky parted and the sun kissed the clouds’ crowns and briefly brought a spot of bright yellow sunshine to the vanilla overcast sky. After I drove a few more miles Mr. North Wind blew the clouds back together and started turning down the thermostat. It was wintry and cold when I got to my driveway. You know I’m watching out the lady den windows for a snowflake.

Now I’ve got to do some bragging! My oldest grandson Alexander was awarded his Eagle Scout Award Sunday afternoon at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor at his family’s church. I was very impressed with the ceremony and shed a few proud grandmother tears. Before the presentation of the Eagle Scout Award Alexander was unexpectedly recognized with a Marine Corps League Good Citizenship Award certificate and coin. Alexander is the youngest recipient of this award and is one of only 200 Eagle Scouts who have received the citizenship award. Our family is so proud of this recognition.

Alex suffered from acute disseminated encephalomyelitis as a toddler, losing the use of both arms. He persevered through three years of physical and occupational therapy to regain the use of his arms. He was determined and faced every trial and tribulation with a wondrous smile. He never questioned why he just kept on with his therapy till he regained the use of his arms. That’s the way he looks at life, a challenge that can be overcome with determination and hard work. He’s fifteen years old now and doing well.

His neurologist said he never be able play sports. He’s proved her wrong so many times. He’s played in a community soccer league. He’s on his school’s track team, his neighborhood swim team, plays mellophone in the marching band, and French horn in the symphonic band. He has a wonderful outlook on life. Never depressed when things go wrong. Whether he comes in first or comes in last last he’s happy because he knows he’s done his best. He’ll say “Yeah, I was a little upset but I did the best I could.” He always does the best he can. And he’s a fighter till he crosses the finish line. He never gives up.

He’s a determined young man and loves a challenge. He knows enough facts and statistics on college and NFL football to fill a set of encyclopedias. He’s an excellent student and serious about his studies.

He takes his Scouting life seriously, too, and has looked forward to this Eagle Scout award since the beginning of his Scout experience. He faces life with a smile on his face and will definitely leave the world a better place for having lived in it.

I am so proud of you, Alexander! And I know Grandaddy is bragging and smiling down from heaven.

“A grandson has a special way of reaching your heart with laughter, blessing your life with happiness, and filling your world with love.” — Unknown