Jesse Lee, WOW how excited I was when your mom called and told me that was what they were naming you. I couldn’t believe it, the first grandchild named after me. The spelling needed to be different so a little boy would be ok with being named after his grandmother. I remember the day you were born how it felt to hold you the first time. All the other grandmothers and grandfathers were there but for just a few moments it was just you and me in the world. "Thank you for those moments.”

I am not sure where the years have gone but they have been so enjoyable watching you grow into the strong young man you are. But I miss that cute smile of a 5 year old, the questions and boy did you have questions. The little scraps we had to put a Bugs Bunny band aid on, trying to catch you when you decided you were not going to be. “Thank you for those moments” Grade school, middle school, high school and then collage, who would have ever thought you would be in collage at 16 be please with yourself on this one.

And now you belong to the US Army….but your only 17 how can that be. Ever wonder why a grandmother always start with ‘But he’s only XX” when talking about the things a grandchild does. The Army has no idea what a great young man they have just gotten, as with many families whose men and women have chosen to join the military we have such mixed feeling. Pride oh yes I am very proud of you, I brag about you all the time and what a great kin you are. Deep inside is the worry and fear of what you’ll get into and see while serving your country. So many before you still carry the scares of war some you can see some you cannot. This world is so unsettled right now but it part of life I think.

I support you 100% in your decision to join the Army and I know how excited you are to be part of the Special Forces. But you just have to except how close to tears I get when I talk to you about your decision that is not going to change. If you could take 1 grandmothers tear and break it down you would find so much love, caring, pride, worry, encouragement, and the want to keep that little 5 year old boy 5 for ever. We both know that is impossible so Jesse I will watch for that smile that always gives a quick look at the little boy I miss so much as I watch you walk though life challenges still growing, learning and teaching I am so proud of you and love you so very much. “Thank you for those moments”

Love

Your Grandmother Jessie LeAnn

6/20/09