grandparents
Becoming a grandparent makes getting older something to look forward to - all the fun of parenting, without the hassle.
Treasure at Willow Manor
As Rayna sat starring at Willow Manor, she wondered, "How long had it been since she walked through those gates?" Her eyes welled up with tears remembering the last time she saw her beloved grandmother and Willow Manor. She was eighteen and headed to college. The first time she had ever been away from home. While grandmother visited her in Boston, she never took the time to return to the manor. Now it has been twenty years, and she had no choice but to return. Grandmother had fallen ill and needed her help.
By Laura Trombley6 years ago in Families
Little Black Book
Today feels like the day that the hurricane hits me. I tell myself this everyday while eager with anticipation. Some days are sprinkled with inspiration. I make sure to document those sprinkles, so I can use them later to create the hurricane that I’m longing for. I have a little sprinkle collector that I keep with me always. That little black notebook has seen and heard things that would make your mother blush. I mean, you just never know when the hurricane will come in. I consciously tell myself that I will be receptive to whatever form that inspiration comes in, without getting in its way. I observe everything to see if that inspiration is peeking around the corner. I also have to remind myself that while I’m focusing on what’s peeking, that the inspiration could be walking right past me. Don’t fixate is what I can hear my nana say to me softly. Just be open.
By Tiffany Miles6 years ago in Families
The Little Black Notebook
Sarah walked into the old house and looked around. Dust covered everything, floral wallpaper peeling off the walls, and birds had come in through a broken window to make nests in the sconces. She wrinkled her nose at the musty smell and heaved a sigh, wondering what she was going to do with this mess of a house. The house had belonged to her grandparents and she had vague memories of visiting as a child, but had not been there in over thirty years. Nobody had lived here in decades and it was obvious by the appearance. The house had good bones but needed a lot of work to make it livable. She wandered from room to room, looking at old photos of people she did not know and the variety of knick knacks on the shelves. The Victorian style furniture had been covered in protective plastic, so it had been saved from the years of neglect.
By Terresa L Nelsen6 years ago in Families
When Prince Got Me Kicked Out of my Great Grandmother's House.
I grew up in Texas as an only child to a single mother. Once school was out for summer, my mom couldn't afford to pay for childcare, so I typically spent my summers in Mississippi staying with family, namely floating between my grandmother's place and my great grandparents' house. One particular summer while staying with my great grandparents, my young-crazy-cool aunt rented a house down the street from them and I made every attempt to spend time with her. The problem was, her and my great grandmother didn't always get along.
By Erica Roberts 6 years ago in Families
The Little Black Book Challenge
Elizabeth sat across the mahogany desk from a stifled man who was seemingly uptight. He was an older man with crystal blue eyes, that although they were tarnished by multiple folds of sagging skin and unsightly moles, remained beautiful in a haunting way. All of his personality and social skills must have been stuffed into his ill-fitting off black suit, like a man trying on his wedding day tuxedo he'd retired several years prior. His hands, gnarled with arthritis, held onto a black leather book steadfastly; the book itself showing signs of great age. Aging in the way of cracks in binding and cover, crispy pages, and dog-eared pages whose edges would never be smooth again. Golden letters are carved into the face of the text and one side, "The Rules of The Cast." The clock ticked away the minutes as both Elizabeth and Mr. Carmichael, as he had introduced himself, exchanged awkward periods of exaggerated throat clearing and heavy sighs.
By Aaliyah Hanna6 years ago in Families
A history, lost
Having witnessed many changes in my lifetime, I find that I do not enjoy them. Since change is usually—to me—something negative, I find it hard to embrace. My mother calls me stubborn, but I call it loyalty. Nothing, however, could have prepared me for what I consider the biggest adjustment of my life.
By Shawna Blake6 years ago in Families
The Teddy Bear Lady
To live generously one does not need to do grandiose deeds. Small gestures can have impact. Big or small one must only care to add value to the lives of others and seek opportunity to make the world a better place. Sweet gestures spread smiles, and smiles are carried miles beyond the moment! My Family and the people of Peoria Illinois know this to be true, because of one special lady. While many recall her name, others know her simply as The Teddy Bear Lady. I however am blessed to have known her as Nana and Grandma. Hers was truly a legacy of love. Throughout her life she was accomplished in many regards and to know her was to love her. The reach of her kindness can’t be fully comprehended, as many on the receiving end were strangers she approached with a smile.
By Elizabeth Calhoun6 years ago in Families
*Notebook
The day he died, my grandfather gave me a small black notebook. The cover was worn and corners were tattered, but he'd been carrying it for as long as I could remember, so I was a surprised when he pressed it into my hands. Perhaps if I'd known he was about to die it would have meant more to me, but at the time it just seemed strange.
By Karissa Davison6 years ago in Families
Grandpa Jake’s Secret Stash
Grandpa Jake was a man of few words. The ones you sometimes heard being things like, “ turnipheads” , when referring to government officials, “ummm” when eating a hot apple pie ala mode or “crymenintly!”, a made up oath we heard when a finger was smashed, a pig got loose, or a piece of machinery he was fixing gave him trouble. This could also be uttered in excitement or awe, like when I won the spelling bee! Crymenintly, baby girl! You are the Queen speller!”
By Nancy German6 years ago in Families
The Ghost Note
"Grandma, we nearly have everything unpacked. Where would you like this notebook to go?" A young woman asks, holding up a small leatherback booklet. It was maybe half a foot in length, with a black fabric tie around it. An elderly woman slowly moves into view. "Ah, my old friend. I had feared I lost you in the move." The older woman takes it gingerly from the hands of her granddaughter, slightly caressing the spine of the little black book. The young woman shakes her head with a sigh. She then proceeds to break down the empty box before her. "You act like that thing is alive, grandma." She turns to face her grandmother and the older lady chuckles. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Call me senile you would." A smile cracks on the old woman's features, but it turns sad when she looks at the book once more. "It has been with me and helped me many times, Cassidy."
By Mariam Michalak6 years ago in Families
Grandmothers And Coffee Are Heaven Sent Blessings.
Recently it was brought to my attention how absolutely fucking PRECIOUS grandmothers and coffee are. Conveniently enough I was in a coffee shop sitting with a delicious brew, while my daughter munched down her sushi and lemonade next to me, when this epiphany came to me.
By Hannah Pitchers6 years ago in Families
