The Priest

Joseph Grant was a humble and obedient child.  His sparkling blue eyes and dark curly hair added to the calming aura that surrounded his presence.  His mother, Kathleen, loved this sweet child with her whole heart.  Even though, his entrance into this world was bittersweet.

Kathleen had been lonely since her husband’s death.  Joseph’s father, and namesake, died while she was seven months pregnant with Joseph Jr.  Joseph Sr. left behind a legacy that was a tragedy in American history.

Kathleen made sure Joseph knew his father was a national hero.  She explained and elaborated on the story of his death in an age appropriate way that her son could understand as he grew older.

The facts are, on September 11, 2001, Joseph Sr. was a passenger on United Airlines and was returning to San Francisco from a business trip.  He and several other passengers saved hundreds and maybe thousands of lives by overpowering hijackers intending to fly the plane into a Washington D.C. government building.

There were many fateful heroes this day.  Floods of information on the events, that took place in two key cities in America, were televised by every news station, in every newspaper and magazine around the country for months after the tragedy.

The Grants’ story in particular was shared in those news reports.  The tragic fact of Kathleen’s pregnancy and the selfless sacrifice that her husband made touched the heart strings of millions of Americans.  She mourned his death deeper than anyone can imagine and listened to his final words many times.

Before his heroic death he left a message on his home answering machine.

He tearfully but bravely said, “We are not going to survive this flight and have to take action against some ruthless hijackers soon.  I want you to know Kath, I love you now and forever.  I love our unborn child and my heart is breaking knowing I’ll never get to hold………..”

In the background a voice said, “Now!”

This was the last time she would here his loving voice.

From that day until the day Joseph was born, Kathleen had been truly alone.  Joseph Sr. and she were both only children who had lost both parents.  He was the most important person in her life and was the center of her world.  She loved him more than life itself and her heart ached for him every day. No other man could ever compare in her mind.

When their baby was born she showered all the love she had on this beautiful and docile infant.  All her sorrow was replaced by unconditional love for Joseph alone.  His every need was taken care of and Kathleen’s unconditional love was a testament to the very nature of this beautiful baby.

He was a good natured baby who rarely cried.  Everywhere Kathleen went with him, he unintentionally attracted attention and made a connection to people with his sweet nature.  He would respond to attention from strangers with a quiet smile and contented baby talk.

Even though Joseph’s father was not there to share in Kathleen’s joy when experiencing their son’s first words, first steps, potty training and all the wonders as he grew, she found a lot of similarities between father and son.

Not only did Junior and Senior look exactly alike, little Joseph had his father’s mannerisms and expressions.  He was almost like his father’s reincarnation.  This thought, over time, helped Kathleen’s sorrow over her husband’s death dissipate.

Regretfully though, it did not help with her anger towards God.  Kathleen had lost her faith in God for the first seven years of Joseph’s life.  She felt bitter and angry towards circumstances that allowed evil people to take her partner and the true love of her life from her.

She felt God should have somehow protected her husband at a time when they were about to share the greatest experience of their lives.  She also felt angry towards God for all she was forced to endure.  If it wasn’t for this sweet little child her heart and soul would have died with her husband.

Kathleen did have Joseph baptized.