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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Grandparent(s) (04/03/08)
Gram’s lap was my favorite place. I snuggled up to her and it didn’t seem to matter how big I got. I loved looking into her eyes. Through those baby blues, I could see into her past.

Every story Grams ever told me, I could see replayed as I looked in those twinkling eyes. I saw her as she ran in the fields of sunflowers and went swinging from the tire right before she jumped into the water. I saw her as she sat in the corner after getting in trouble at school. I felt the whack of the ruler as it hit her outstretched palm. “Ouch.” I jumped off her lap, confused.

She assured me all was well. I didn’t know my grandma was quirky until I got older. My friends looked at her in strange ways. They never could figure out what was different but they felt something was off, but then we ran off to play and forgot all about Grams.

She could quote scripture like I could breathe but it was like she was reading it. I thought every Grandma was able to do this. When she prayed, it was like God was right there sitting beside us. She talked to Him and then waited for Him to answer.

Grams didn’t have white hair wound up in a bun and she most certainly didn’t sit in a rocking chair. No, my grams was unique. She wore jeans and had blazing red hair. She had one speed and it was fast. If radar was tracking her, they would see a red dot on the screen racing furiously to the next.

My grams, although perfect when she was born, grew tired and brittle as she grew older. She was on a first name basis with her surgeons. She would enter the hospital and come out with a new part. The first time I can remember this happening, I was seven. Grams went in limping and she came back skipping. She had received a new knee.

One day she got a new hip. And then another time, new elbows. She soon got a new heart and it beat just perfect. I know because I would listen: bupbup—bupbup—bupbup.

GrandmaJ’s next hospital visit got her a brand new wrist. After that, she was able to throw a ball clear across the yard.

Dad took me to the hospital when she received another new part. As she was coming out of surgery, I paraphrased her favorite verse to her:

“I praise You because Grams is fearfully and wonderfully made; You did a great job creating her, Lord, but now You are using surgeons to make her old parts brand new, piece by piece, one surgery at a time.”

As I sat on the edge of her bed stroking her hair, I felt something strange and leaned in to have a look. There, on the side of her neck, I found the words, “Made in Japan.” I was very confused. As Grams lay there sleeping, I pulled away the covers and looked at her knee. Again, a tiny label was there but this time it said, Made in China.” I looked on her ankle and a label read, “Property of Gen Bio Lab.”

I lay the cover back and went in search of Dad. While roaming the halls, I started piecing together everything that had confused me through the years. I thought about her eyes that allowed me to see into the past and no one could possibly have so many body parts replaced. She had an arm that would rival any baseball pitcher. And her memory was phenomenal. I never once saw her reading her Bible but she had it all memorized.

I heard Dad talking to a man, “…almost complete…great experiment.” I slowly backed away, suddenly afraid of the place where we had spent so much time.

I ran into Gram’s room. She was waiting for me. Grams pointed to my ankle. I looked down and found a label just like hers. I then remembered the time I had broken it. I looked at Grams and she smiled.

I broke into a sweat but I knew no matter what she had to tell me, all would be well. I looked into her eyes and there I learned the truth.

As I sat beside her, I realized I had a bionically unique Grams. She was Super-Grams and I was her Super-Granddaughter! We were both fearfully and wonderfully remade!
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This article has been read 1509 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
LauraLee Shaw
04/10/08
This was so creative! With the different country labels and some of the descriptions, I was tickled and amazed. LOVE this line: She had one speed and it was fast. If radar was tracking her, they would see a red dot on the screen racing furiously to the next.
Beckie Stewart
04/10/08
What a cute and unique story. I loved it. It flowed very well.
Christine Dunn
04/11/08
You described 'Grams' so well, that I feel as if I know her!
Joshua Janoski
04/12/08
Haha! This was fun! You totally surprised me. I'm just picturing this normal grandmother who is getting your standard knee replacement surgery, and it turns out she is some bionic superwoman! Very clever!

I have no idea how you came up with this idea, but it is definitely the most unique one I have read so far this week. :)
Peter Stone
04/12/08
I became curious when she skipped out of hospital with a knee replacement. That's not the norm...
Betty Castleberry
04/12/08
I thought this was a nice story of a lady who needed a few things replaced, that is, until I got to the end. Loved the twist. Nicely done.
Lynda Schultz 
04/12/08
Whoa—what a twist this one had. I was almost ready to sign up for all those new parts myself—but I'm not sure I want anyone reading tha labels! Great work.
Dee Yoder
04/12/08
Oh you sweet trickster..you had me fooled on this one! Love the twist at the end and re-reading after I knew the "secret" was great fun, too!
Joanne Sher 
04/12/08
SO creative, with wonderful descriptions that kept me engaged (and guessing) throughout! Wonderful twist too!
Kristen Hester
04/13/08
LOL. I was thinking it was unrealistic that she recovered so well from a knee replacement surgery. Little did I know...she's bionic! This is fun and very creative. Great job!
Lyn Churchyard
04/13/08
Laury, Laury, Laury. You completely had me going off in the wrong direction. What a great story. I loved the twist in the tale! Very clever, very clever indeed.
Chely Roach
04/13/08
SUPER-creative...LOL! Great job.
Debbie Wistrom
04/14/08
Unique characters, well done and enjoyable.
Beth LaBuff 
04/14/08
I love your "Grams" descriptions, especially this, "She could quote scripture like I could breathe but it was like she was reading it" and also your description of her prayer. The humor is great. Your idea with this is super creative!
Jan Ackerson
04/14/08
Wow, Laury! I read this with growing awe and realization--this is simply outstanding! Believe it or not, I thought of doing something sci-fi-ish, but couldn't make it work. I'm glad I didn't, because you did such a great job. Reminds me of something Asimov might have written. Love it!
Sara Harricharan
04/14/08
Oooh, ooh! I did LOVE this! Sci-fi is so fun, and this is a great twist for a grandmother! Super-Grams to the rescue. ^_^ I really like how you made her come alive with touches like the red hair and how the granddaughter could look so deeply into her eyes and 'experience' it all. I wish there more of this, 'cause I want to know what happens next! The ending though, with the last line, that was my absolute favorite line! Awesome writing! ^_^
Joy Faire Stewart
04/16/08
Oh, I loved the sweet memories you shared. Excellent!
Marita Thelander 
04/16/08
Great story. The ending is awesome...You have a way with words for sure. ; )
Patty Wysong
04/17/08
LoLLoL. This was so sweet and fun at the same time!! What a hoot! You did it! You pulled it off! Sheesh, could we put in orders for our own parts? Huggles!