An Ode to Grandma: The Story Behind Grandma’s 78th Birthday

My mother-in-law, Janice, has a presence that gently disarms. From the very first time she met me, she turned to her daughter and said, “Make sure to give him lots of hugs.” If you know my story, you’ll understand just how deeply that one sentence landed.

You see, for a long time, I lived without the comfort of safe, nurturing spaces. I didn’t grow up surrounded by many examples of what a stable, loving home looked like. And during my years of incarceration, those broken beginnings weighed heavily on my heart. But within that confinement, I began to imagine the kind of home I wanted to one day build—a home where love wasn’t conditional, and hugs weren’t rare. A home where the silver lining was always love, no matter what storms passed through.

It was during that chapter of reflection and healing that I made a quiet promise to myself: if I ever got the chance, I would build something beautiful, something whole. I wanted to create the kind of family I never had—but always needed.

When I came home, that chance presented itself in the form of a young woman who had moved from rural Manitoba to Toronto after attending university in Winnipeg. And with her came Janice—her mother, and the woman who would one day feel like my own.

Janice welcomed me into her world with arms wide open. Where my own mother was absent—her mental health casting a long, painful shadow—Janice brought warmth, calm, and conversation. We bonded easily, often over our mutual love of sports. Much like her daughter, we could talk for hours about anything and everything. And over time, that bond deepened into something sacred.

She’s not just Grandma to our kids—she’s Grandma in every sense of the word: present, patient, full of stories, and overflowing with love. She was there for the birth of our first child. And again, 18 months later, she was there for the second. When our third child was born at the height of the pandemic—her physical absence was felt, but her emotional presence never wavered.

I remember a conversation we had after her husband died. I had told her that I didn’t attend funerals—it was a boundary I had long upheld. She gently told me, “You need to attend my funeral. Not for me, but for my daughter.” And just like that, I knew she was right. She always had a way of reminding me of what really matters.

A couple of years ago, she came out to visit us in Toronto for her 78th birthday. To celebrate, we surprised her with tickets to see the Toronto Blue Jays—a perfect match for her love of sports. The children were buzzing with excitement, and the whole day was filled with laughter, treats, and cheers. It was simple, but unforgettable. A moment in time we all still talk about.

That memory inspired me to write my newest children’s book, Grandma’s 78th Birthday. It’s a way of capturing that joy, that love, that quiet magic she brings into our lives. As an author, I’ve realized stories have the power to preserve people, to celebrate them while they’re still here. And this one is my way of giving Grandma her flowers—while she can still smell them.

The book officially launched on June 27th and is now available on my website: 27thletters.com. If you’ve ever loved a grandparent, or had someone love you like one, I hope this story brings you comfort and connection too.

Grandma, thank you.

Thank you for raising your daughter with such care and strength—it’s like you crafted her for me.

Thank you for loving our children in a way that will echo into their adulthood.

And thank you for being the kind of mother-in-law people speak about with admiration and warmth.

We love you more than words could ever say. I hope you enjoy this book. It’s for you.

With all my heart,

Lanre