I had to tell Charlie that I was not bringing home a new cousin for him and that his mom and him were here to help me take back some items to a store. This little 8-year-old boy helped me load up a car and we drove to the store to return items that I would not be using for a baby that we did not get through an adoption. We pulled up to the store and I got out of the car and he jumped out of the back seat and walked right beside me. When I got to the service desk and started talking to the store clerk, I started to break down. I could not talk, and tears ran down my face. That is when the smallest hand became the strongest, I have ever felt in my life. I looked down to see Charlie holding my hand and telling me “Aunt G, I got this”. He looked the clerk in the eye and asked for a manager who was right behind her. He said to him, “My name is Charlie Denk and my Aunt Gerri lost her angel and needs to return some items”. I could see how proud he was and here I was needing him more then he would ever know. The manager told him that he would help us, and he went to get a cart. Charlie continued to hold my hand, holding it so tight, he walked me back to the car and opened my door. Shelly and Charlie took all the stuff out of the car and went back into the store. He told me when we got home that it was not time for my angel and that she was not ready to meet “him”.

Two months later he was right, she was here, and he came running in the house and swooped her up. He whispered in her ear “I am your Charlie, and I will protect you”. Which he did in so many ways and loved her more then she will ever know. From playing the animal game to never ending coloring on the front porch at the shore. He watched over her. He went on vacation with us and he was like a hawk with her.

I always thought of him as my little Charlie but that day I realized that he was no longer a little boy and that he would be an extraordinary man. I was so proud of him in every way with everything he did.

The thing I miss most besides him, is his hugs and him holding my hand.

Love always. Aunt G