A story called "Laughing and Happy"

Once upon a time (July 17, 94) a baby boy was born. His Mama and Daddy named him Christofer Elias Vance II. His Grandma said, “His name is longer than he is!” And they laughed and were happy.
Baby Christofer’s cousin Adam said, “Let’s call him CJ for short – it stands for Christofer Junior.” And everyone said, “ahhhh” and smiled.

CJ had the fattest little cheeks in all the land and his daddy would bite them – often! Mama would say, “Daddy quit that” – but he wouldn’t and CJ didn’t seem to mind.
CJ had the tiniest little mouth in all the land. Aunt Chantelle and Aunt April would say, ”Look! Look at his tiny mouth.” And Grandma would say “It’s a rosebud mouth” – and Mama would tickle his bottom lip with her finger to see if he was okay and then she would kiss that sweet little mouth.
So – Daddy would bite and Mama would kiss and they would laugh and be happy.

On Christmas Eve C.J. got very sick. He had been sick before – but this time he was very very very sick. The doctors and nurses said he was going to die. Many days went by. Some people who loved CJ were standing around his hospital bed. Grandpa Vance and Farmor said, “He has such a sweet spirit – you can just feel his sweet spirit.” Everyone looked down at little CJ.
Then his Mama came back into the hospital room. CJ couldn’t see – but he could hear – and heard his Mama’s voice. Suddenly his fat little foot moved – just a tiny bit. And it kept moving more and more each day – whenever he heard his Mama’s voice. Then the other foot started moving. The doctors said, “Oh that’s just more seizures.” But it wasn’t. It was because the First Father had decided to let CJ stay. And Mama and Daddy and everyone gave prayers of Thanks to Him – and were happy.

When Mama took CJ shopping people would stop and say: “What a beautiful baby” And it was true. He looked just like his mama but he was stubborn just like Daddy!
He hated formula from the beginning. He was too weak to nurse so he had to have formula – but he hated it! Mama tried several different kinds. She begged him and begged him for two hours – just to drink two ounces. Finally he was old enough to try regular milk. “Oh good”, said Mama. “Hoorah!” But no such luck! He still hated it! Then one day Mama and Daddy gave him chocolate milk! He gobbled it up. “Well”, said Grandma “there’s certainly nothing wrong with his taste buds.” And Mama and Daddy laughed and were happy.

Every couple of months Daddy would ask Mama to bring CJ to his work so he could show him off to his friends. One day Daddy bought CJ a Raiders outfit. That was Daddy’s favorite team, you see. CJ was a chunk by now – and in that Raiders outfit he looked like a midget line backer. Mama and Daddy showed everyone. And they laughed and were happy.

Daddy gave CJ a bowl cut just like the big boys wear.
And for mom’s birthday he gave her a baby cart to hook onto the bicycle so CJ could go for a ride. CJ hated the ride. He frowned and frowned. Mama and Daddy pointed their fingers at his frown and laughed and laughed.

Grandpa Green would say, “He’s so fun to hold.”
And Uncle Brook loved to hold him too. Uncle Brook would hold him very still so CJ could sleep. And sometimes Uncle Brook would give CJ rides in the wheelchair with him. We would say, “Brook, your arms must be tired by now.”
“No.” he would say – and Brook was happy.

Mama and Daddy had another baby. This time it was a girl. They named her Amanda. People would ask Mama, “Are they twins?” Mama would say, “No, but just as close as you can get.” Mama was very busy. She said, “When Mandy is awake I hold her. When little Christofer is awake I hold him. And when they are both awake, I sit on the bed and sing primary songs to them.”

Daddy said, “If CJ never walks, no matter how big he gets – I will always pull him up and let him lie on my chest where he loves to be.”
And Mama said, “Every day I thank Heavenly Father that I have a little Christofer. I have the perfect babies. If I want to play I have Amanda. If I want to cuddle I have CJ.”

Last Friday Mama and Daddy and the two babies went camping. They played games – danced in the sprinkling rain and played with their babies.
On Sunday morning the First Father looked down on the happy laughing family and smiled. Then he said, “I knew that Mama and Daddy would love CJ with all their hearts forever and ever – but it is enough. It’s time for my little CJ to come back Home.” And so he did.

And soon all the darkness, black though it be.
Will give way to sunshine. Just wait and see.
It’s but a parting, tis nothing more.
And soon you’ll caress him Just as before.

And, we’ll all laugh and be happy.

With all my love – Grandma Dodee
9/7/95

Vance family July 2008