Family is Everything
Funny how life can turn out, isnt it? Things could have gone so differently. Our neighbour down the road is always amazed at how lucky we are. The children help us, and our grandchildren are around all the time.
Take today, for instance. Our middle grandson, Ben, is stopping by. Grandad always sits down with him to work on maths, and hes teaching him how to do pull-ups on the bar set up outside the block of flats.
Anne and Paul have just passed seventy, still fit and spry. They have three lovely grandchildren.
Yesterday evening, Anne spent some time baking biscuits with her two granddaughters, the youngest, Daisy, and the eldest, Grace. Now theyll have something to enjoy with tea, and Ben will have a treat too.
Annie, we really do need to get a globe, Paul interrupts her musings. Ben and Daisy cant quite get the hang of maps. We need a proper, big globe!
And we could do with a ball as well. Ben and I saw some lads playing basketball out in the courtyard. Hed like a go, too.
Just then, the doorbell rings. Ben arrives home from school.
Hi Nan! Hi Grandad! I picked up your favourite poppy seed buns on my way here.
He takes off his coat and washes his hands straight away, just the way his grandmother taught him.
Hows school going? Got any good marks? Paul asks.
Grandad, two threes in maths. Can you help me? Ive got all muddled, Grandad!
What happened? We went through this last time, didnt we? Its all right, come on, lets sort it out together.
Paul, hes only just walked in! Let the boy eat first, then you can get stuck into the homework.
Well then, Ill have some soup with sour cream myself, Paul says, winking at his grandson.
After lunch, Ben heads off with Grandad to do some studying. Anne watches them go, her heart full.
Soon itll be time for gardening season. Theres really nothing like itfresh, sweet country air. The younger two, Daisy and Ben, will spend the holidays at the allotment with them, while Grace, all grown up now at nearly seventeen, comes down for the weekends with her parents.
Grace is in college, doing her nurse training at the local hospital. She enjoys it, wants to carry on and become a doctor one day. She hopes to help people. Shes a good girl, strong and gentle-hearted. No doubt shell make a wonderful doctor.
Anne moves over to the sideboard and picks up a photo in a frame.
Oh, my darling boy, Henry, if only you could see us now! Forgive us, son, perhaps your father and I made mistakes. We just couldnt help you, couldnt save youyou struggled so. But Im not crying, my dear, I promise. I like to think you see us and perhaps youre happy now. Life is such a muddle of joys and sorrows. You saw so little of it, my son. But theres nothing more to be said. Its too late now. We cant change anything.
Annie, what are you doing over there? Julie and Max have just arrived, and Daisy is with them.
Nanna! The youngest granddaughter races in and wraps herself around Annes neck, hugging her tightly with her tiny warm hands.
Look at me, Nanna, Daisy says, turning Annes face towards her, See my beautiful hairstyle? Its just like yours! Because I look like you. I love you lots, Nanna, she adds, squeezing her tighter. Anne nearly bursts into tears.
Oh, dont wear poor Nanna out! Julie and Max smile as they look on, Have you forgotten what you wanted to give her?
Oh! Nanna, let me go! Daisy wriggles down and fishes a sheet of paper from her mums handbag. Look! I drew this at nursery. This is you, this is Grandad, theres Mum and Dad, theres Grace, Ben, and me! I drew it as a present for you and Grandad. Our big family. Do you like it, Nanna? Do you?
I do! And youve caught everyone brilliantly! Paul, come and see what our granddaughter made for us. Im going to put it in a frame and treasure it! Our whole big family in one picture.
Well, Anne, wed best be off. Ben, are you ready? Dont forget your rucksack. Anne, Paul, do come round for Sunday lunch tomorrow. The kids have got a little concert to perform for you. Well say bye now. Thanks for everything, see you tomorrow.
The door shuts quietly behind them. Anne and Paul sit down with a cup of tea.
Arent we lucky, Paul, to have such a big family?
We are, Annie.
Remember when Henry brought Julie home for the first time? I was over the moon. I hoped it would calm him down. For a whole year things went so well. I was beside myself with happiness. Then it all went wrong againall those wild friends and those girls
Dont, Anne. Dont cry, Paul says, pulling her gently into his arms.
And then Julie left. And Henry caught up in a fight one night, and that was that. Our son was gone.
Oh Annie, my darling, whats got you like this? Paul brushes a tear from her cheek.
Daisys picture made me think. How lucky we were to find Julie, expecting, after wed lost Henry. Then she met Max, and now weve got Ben and Daisy as well as Grace. Whatevers happened, theyre all ours in our hearts.
And honestly, if life meant for us to go through all these trials, I can say with my hand on my heart, Im the happiest grandmother in the world.
Our big familythey are truly our own.
Where there is love and good counsel, sorrow can never settle.
