Lenier Grogan Baird

Aunt Lennie was always one of my favorite aunts. When my sister Toni and I were young, we used to visit her, Hamilton & Dominique pretty often, and we always had a great time. She was always positive, energetic, and beautiful, with an infectious laugh that put you in a good mood and reminded you not to take life too seriously. I remember staying at their house one time for few days (I think I was about 9), and I had gotten a bee sting on my ear on the way there, which had swollen up to twice its size. I remember being so upset and self conscious about by "big ear." She giggled at me as I tried to hide my ear from people at church, but she also let me know that she understood why it bothered me, and that is was okay and that most people wouldn't even notice. Even after Uncle Rodney passed away, she still demonstrated incredible grace, strength, and yes, her enduring positivity. When her brother, my father, Tom passed away years later, she continued to stay in close touch us and my mother Sharon, looking out for us and being there as someone who understood exactly what we were going through. Although they talked only a few times a year, she was one of the few people that I saw my mom bonded with and really let in as a true friend after my dad passed away, and I could see how she would light up at the idea of moving close to Aunt Lennie as she became an empty nester. I found Aunt Lennie's passing very difficult, both because of my love and admiration for her and because of the parallels with my owne mother's health over the past couple of years and the pain that I know comes along with that. My heart and thoughts are with you, Hamilton and Dominique, and I will always remember how your Mom's genuine and caring spirit touched my life and my family's. I cherish the memories I have and will carry them with me. I know that she is resting in peace with Uncle Rodney, my dad, and her sisters Trennie and Margaret. All my love, Kelli