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Dear Grandma…

This one is for you.

I know you left a long time ago,

But your grandson is still here…

And everything you taught me

Is still living inside of me.

For those who don’t know me,

Darnell is my name,

But you always called me Donnie,

And you loved me just the same.

You raised me to be respectful,

You taught me right from wrong,

You raised me as a gentleman,

And Grandma, you made me strong.

You showed me how to treat people,

How a decent man should live,

You gave me all the love you had,

And taught me how to give.

But when the Lord called you home,

Something changed inside of me,

I was angry at the whole world,

And became what you never raised me to be.

I stopped caring, lost my way,

Made mistakes I had to pay.

But through every dark and lonely night,

Your love kept leading me back to the light.

Dear Grandma, can you hear me?

Your grandson found his way.

I know it took a little while,

But I’m the man you prayed I’d be one day.

You planted something in my heart

That this world could never take away.

Dear Grandma, you did a good job—

Your love still guides me every day.

I got involved in several crimes,

And paid the price through the years.

I know if you had seen that road,

It would’ve brought your heart to tears.

I remember telling you,

“I’m never going back to church—

Not even when you die,”

But God remembered every prayer

You sent beyond the sky.

And guess what, Grandma?

Your Donnie became an evangelist

At Greater Saint Stephen’s

Full Gospel Baptist Church.

The same young man who ran from God

Now stands and speaks His Word.

I know you must be smiling,

If my testimony can be heard.

Dear Grandma, can you hear me?

Your grandson found his way.

I know it took a little while,

But I’m the man you prayed I’d be one day.

You planted something in my heart

That this world could never take away.

Dear Grandma, you did a good job—

Your love still guides me every day.

I grew to own my own business,

Built something with my hands.

I followed Grandpa’s footsteps,

Working on the riverfront as a man.

I raised and loved my family,

Tried to give them what you gave—

The wisdom and the discipline

That carried me through darker days.

I was mad when you departed,

I couldn’t understand why.

I thought that you had left me,

So I hardened up inside.

But now I know you never left;

Your spirit helped me grow.

Everything you poured into me

Is the reason I came home.

If I could sit beside you

For just one more night,

I’d hold your hand and tell you,

“Grandma, you were right.”

I’d say, “Please forgive the boy

Who let his anger take control.

The man standing here today

Finally understands your soul.”

I’ve fallen, I’ve been broken,

But your prayers carried me through.

Every good thing in this man

Started, Grandma, with you.

Dear Grandma, can you hear me?

Your grandson is okay.

The seeds you planted long ago

Are finally blooming here today.

I found my faith, I found my purpose,

An