grandparents
Becoming a grandparent makes getting older something to look forward to - all the fun of parenting, without the hassle.
Even once I’m gone
The wake was months ago, yet it was so vivid in Jacob’s mind as he sat in one of the stiff chairs in the family attorney’s office. His grandfather’s testament was being read, the man who raised him. He felt sick, the reality of it never really settled in until recently. Jacob’s grandfather was all he had, his mother died in labor and his father disappeared without a trace a few weeks later. His siblings were older and already had their lives together and their own families while he just recently turned 19. He didn’t know them very well, they moved out when he was 6 to live with their mom, his dad’s ex wife.
By Alorah Weeks5 years ago in Families
The Life I Used to Be
Nothing good would come from this. Those words echoed like an incessant warning in my head, growing louder with each moment I ignored them. And even though I knew they were correct, my feet carried me forward anyway. Of course I knew nothing good would come from this, but no power in hell or earth would keep me away now. Another step. Another reckless decision. Another moment closer to... what?
By Tracy Combs5 years ago in Families
Best Birthday Ever
It was supposed to be his best birthday ever. Pap-Pap, my Grandfather, was turning 75 and I thought I had the perfect gift for him tucked in the envelope inside of my jacket. My Pap-Pap, he was the kind of guy who believed in hitting first and asking questions later. Built like a five-foot tall wood-burning stove, he possessed an agility of mind belonging only to the young-at-heart or the young-in-body. Make no mistake: he was most definitely the former.
By Jack Sullivan5 years ago in Families
Her Final Wish
“Hey you, she’s not doing well. You need to come in and say good-bye.” It was a hot Friday in August when Liz got the phone call from her dad. Liz hung up the phone and called her mother-in-law to come watch her baby, Logan, while she went to the hospital to say her final good-byes to her 95 year old grandmother, Joy.
By Morgan Elaine5 years ago in Families
The Book of Treasures
Lucy slowly opened the email with trepidation. “Your Grandfather is very ill. Please come as soon as possible.” Those were the only words. My Grandfather sick? My sweet, sweet Pops? I just talked with him on Sunday! What in the world? What is going on?? Why not call???, she thought. She packed her bag as quickly as possible and headed to the airport hoping she would be able to buy a last-minute ticket and get there in time.
By Shanie Jones5 years ago in Families
Grandma Tilley
Meg knelt in front of the steamer trunk, its worn brown leather felt smooth under her hands and hinted at the secrets that lay within. The brass fittings and name plate gleamed in the early morning light declaring that it belonged to Margaret Tilley, her grandmother whose namesake she bore. Grandma had died a few weeks ago and now her children were sorting through her things. Everyone wanted Meg out of the way, so they suggested she take a look in the attic and see what she could find up there.
By Robin Trent5 years ago in Families
Lamentations of a Good Christian Woman
I never lived my life the way I wanted, and now that I ain't got one, I might as well be of some use. The insurance company made sure I'm worth more dead than alive. And since you're the only one that really cared about me, I left you $20,000. It's not much cause that's all I could afford, but I guess it's better than a sharp stick in the eye.
By Joseph Schwalenberg5 years ago in Families
George’s Hidden Will
“Georgie?” My mother’s voice drifted down the hall and found me sitting upon my grandpa George’s desk chair in his office. The room had always felt warm and inviting. The Turmeric colored walls were barely visible behind the stacks of bookcases that lined the room. Since his death the emptiness of the room was almost unbearable. In an attempt to keep my tears at bay I glanced up at the ceiling. A single fan over the desk seemed to float amongst the mural of cherubs flying through clouds. The beauty of it never ceased to amaze me.
By Jennifer Griffin5 years ago in Families
Brownies and Tennis
LITTLE BLACK BOOK Rose is watching TV enjoying her dinner when she's interrupted by a knock at the door. Due to her husband passing, kids moving away she has not had company in over 15 years and becomes startled and hesitant. Against her judgement she goes to the door looking through the peephole. To her surprise it is Hannah, a 15 year old with two big red curly puffs, freckles, and a charm bracelet with "H" on it. Rose opens the door. "Hi I'm Hannah, your new neighbor. I was wondering if I could get my ball that went into your yard?" She's a tennis player for her highschool team. Rose responds with "Yea sure go get it" in a very monotone nonchalant way. Being the bright bubbly kid she is, Hannah smiles, says thank you and begins to retrieve the ball.
By Takila Wiley5 years ago in Families
Grandfather
I hold the little black book tightly, as though I could squeeze the answers out of it. The book is my grandfather’s gift to me, filled with amazing stories of european dignitaries and royalty that he met or had shared a drink with. His was a life filled with travel and negotiations while working as a head engineer at the European branch of Boeing. The book also mentions times when he was young and growing up in the depression. Stories of dirt floors, hard work, and not a lot to eat. It was not the grandfather I knew. The man that I knew had long since retired when I came along. He lived in a comfortable home, and he filled his days mentoring students at the local library, cross stitching intricate landscapes, and playing silly old songs on his banjo.
By Brenda Johnson5 years ago in Families
The Open Door
It took longer to climb the stairs than he thought. His sneakers clapping against the wet stone. The clapping ended with three loud thuds and a deep gasp as he reached the last step. He tried not to think about how hard that was. Trying to brush off the fact that his body has run entirely out of air. He bent and grabbed his knees and panted. He felt like he was standing over a brush fire and inhaling its smoke. “This is what happens when you decide to follow the trail of a map you found on an old piece of paper that looked like it was scrawled by an old man who had a stroke”.
By Lorn Auros5 years ago in Families
