52 Blessings-Your Very Own Cheerleader

One of the happiest things to see last week was Abe having his very own cheerleader: Grace. She was so excited for him, attentive, encouraging, calm . . . and helpful.

I had read and listened to lots of parents talk about trying to find “their cadet” among the masses when attending formal functions at a service academy. I didn’t think I’d be the same, I thought I’d be content to know he was out there somewhere, but just as those parents said, each time we attended a function I searched for Abe (or Ty depending on the academy). Among thousands of young men with the same haircut, uniforms and similar stature, it’s nigh-near impossible to spot your own. Many times I’ve snatched a picture only to be told later by the boys that it wasn’t them. But Grace could find Abe anywhere. She said, “Watch for the way he walks.” Sure enough, that was the clue and she could spot him every. single. time. when the cadets were on the move.

Abe had wondered while attending West Point how he would ever meet someone to marry—free time away from the post was minimal to non-existent and the branch (church congregation) he attended was small and filled with military families on assignment and male cadets. Last summer he again wondered how or where he would ever meet someone, knowing that after graduation he would be transferred from post to post and then assigned to Iraq or Afghanistan. I kept telling him, “It only takes one girl. If the Lord can find a Rebecka for Isaac (biblical story in Genesis), He can find a girl for you.”

Three weeks later, he met Grace who had moved to the East coast to nanny for a family and consequently attended the West Point Branch. The timing couldn’t have been better. Abe got to be a part of an exciting year for Grace and Grace got to be a part of an exciting year for Abe. She’s the best cheerleader for Abe and we love and admire her; she's a great blessing.