Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: The Manuscript (04/29/10)
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TITLE: Loving Honesty- Gammy's Legacy | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lisa Johnson
05/05/10 -
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It isn’t every day an eighteen year old girl gets a letter requesting her presence at an attorney’s office, hallway across the country. It definitely aroused her curious nature, so with nervous anticipation, she arrived at the appointed time and place. The attorney, Mr. Champion, was an older, grandfatherly type. Not at all what she expected, he put her immediately at ease.
“Miss Powell, I’m sure you’re wondering why I contacted you, so I’ll get right down to business. I was instructed to find you and give this to you after your eighteenth birthday.”
He pulled a package from beneath his desk and presented it to her. In the package, she found a safe deposit box and a key.
Confusion clouding her face, she looked from the package to the attorney.
“Mr. Champion, I don’t understand… who did this come from?”
Patiently, the attorney explained that the safe deposit box was from her grandmother… her father’s mother.
“I don’t really remember her,” the girl said. “I was just a baby when my parents and I moved away. I don’t think I ever saw her again after that. Tell me…when did she die?”
“Miss Powell, I’m not at liberty to discuss that with you… I’m just to give you the package.”
~ ~ ~ ~
When she got to her hotel room, she opened the safe deposit box. She gasped in surprise as she realized that there was a whole lifetime tucked into that box… her lifetime.
There were birthday cards and Christmas cards for every year of her life. Nestled into each card were pictures of a family she had never been allowed to meet… uncles she had never known… a grandmother and grandfather she didn’t even remember.
Under all the cards and pictures, she found a leather-bound journal. Opening it, she saw the prettiest handwriting she had ever seen. Hours went by, and tears flowed freely, as she read the manuscript. It was amazing… this gift from her grandmother. It was a legacy of love.
~ ~ ~ ~
May 1992- Baby Girl, today I counted your fingers and toes for the very first time. You opened your eyes and smiled at me. Pawpaw said it was just gas… but Gammy knows a smile when I see one. You have your daddy’s eyes. I hope your parents realize what a precious gift from God you are.
November 1992- Your parents are moving away. They’re making some very bad choices, and I’m afraid I’ll never see you again. Your Gammy will always love you, and I’ll be praying for God to lead, guide and protect you all of your days.
May 1993- Happy Birthday, Baby Girl. I talked to your daddy on the phone tonight. I wanted to tell you that I love you, but he told me you were sleeping. I could hear you in the background, so I knew you were awake. I’m asking God to give you a hug for me. Gammy loves you, Baby Girl.
August 1998- I guess Gammy should start calling you by your real name, Honesty, but you’ll always be Gammy’s Baby Girl. I can’t believe you’re starting first grade. I hope you like school. I loved school when I was your age. I wish I could be with you, but I’m trusting God to be there for you when I can’t.
May 2005- Honesty, you’re a teenager now… it’s hard being thirteen…I pray for you to find some good friends who can help you learn about Jesus. Your parents don’t believe in God, but I know that God loves you even more than Gammy does. I pray that you will understand this someday.
May 2010- Honesty, you’re eighteen and graduating from High School. I’m so proud of you, and wish that I could have been there to share these special moments. My regret is that your daddy never told you that you had a Gammy who loved you. If I never get to see you, this side of Heaven, I hope someday you will know this… I have always loved you with all of my heart… and have prayed for you every single day of your life.
~ ~ ~ ~
Taped inside the back cover of the journal was a small envelope, with a note, instructing her that one more gift awaited. It gave directions to a local address.
Anxiously, Honesty knocked on the door.
Anticipation turned to recognition as an older woman opened the door.
“Gammy!”
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