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I look out the window and see my neighbor, Norma pushing the stroller on the sidewalks of our subdivision. The stroller passenger is curiously looking at his surroundings. His depthless dark brown eyes captured my heart the first time I saw him. He is healthy-looking, perhaps a little on the chunky side. He looks lovingly at his small-framed Grandmother, as she proudly nods to the neighbors while passing by.
How can he know what is about to happen to him? How do I know what is about to happen to him? I only know what is NOT going to happen. He is not going to be allowed to live with his wonderful grandparents.
You are probably asking where are his parents? Why is he spending his days and nights with his doting grandmother and grandfather?
The answer is that his parents are in the Armed Forces. His father is in Afghanistan and soon his mother will also ship out to Iraq. We used to hear the song, When Johnny Comes Marching Home but now we need to make up a new song: When Johnny and Jane come marching home. The most significant title for Clemente would be: When Mommy and Daddy Come Marching Home.
I live in a 55 or older neighborhood and it seems that our bylaws state that Grandchildren can only live with their Grandparents for 90 days.
The "busy people" have already been around to talk with Norma and Joe to make sure they won't cause any "trouble." They are busy promoting rules. They are busy making sure that an innocent 18-month old boy doesn't destroy their quiet, secure domain. They are busy making sure that Clemente will most likely be with strangers.
He will already be experiencing a lump in his throat as his little mind tries to grasp where his Mommy and Daddy are. He can't talk enough to express this. Perhaps he can point and say "Mommy" or cry and hope someone will bring her to his waiting arms. When he gets a booboo, will the stranger know how to comfort him? Do they know what foods he likes? Maybe someone could show him a picture of his parents'..some stranger.
Too bad the busy people can't turn their head the other way. They usually turn their heads the other way and are too busy to notice the rule about dogs having to be under a certain weight or people parking their cars on the sidewalk. No, it's just this one thing that they are not too busy to noticejust this one rule.
They don't have to worry. It's not their children in Iraq risking their lives; it's not their grandchildren crying out, mommy! They can don their best outfits, go to church and pray for our people in Iraq as long as they don't get personally involved. They don't really have to look into Clemente's innocent courageous eyes and explain why his whole world is falling apart. Do they even care.what happens to Clemente?
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