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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Prosperity (05/11/06)
Granny Em

I saw her first, a slightly bent over woman in her 70’s using her cane to walk into the airport waiting area. Granny Em had finally decided to leave her home in Sweden to visit. My husband, Sam and my two teen-ager daughters, Anna and June, were anxiously waiting for us to return home. We were all anxious to introduce her to the American way of life.

“Granny Em,” I waved as she passed thru the gates. I rushed to embrace her gently. It seemed frail, l but she surprised me, her hug was as strong as mine. We both had tears of joy.

“Heidi, Heidi, I made it, ja? God vas with me.” Grandma said her Swedish accent.

“Yes, how was your flight?”

“It vas yust fine. Long, but gut.”

Waiting with the others passengers for my grandma’s luggage, a teen-ager with multi-colored hair approached us. Dressed in black leather pants and coat, I didn’t feel like she was up to any good. I turned to walk away taking my grandma ‘s arm. The girl called after us.

“Em. I was hoping I would see you one more time. I want to thank you for hold my hand and praying for me through that storm. You have no idea how much that helped. Thank you.”

“Keeona.” Grandma took her hand. “I’m so glad to see you again. Ja, the flight vas good and vas bad, ja? Remember who ist in charge, our Lord.” Hearing the long o sound when she said Lord produced a smile on the young lady’s face.

“I won’t forget, nor you, Thank you for my Bible.” They embraced she left. My! I wouldn’t have believed this if I had not seen it for my own eyes. I would never have approached this person because of her dress. But not my Granny Em. She made a friend and planted a seed.

The next day we all went to the Lutheran Sunday services. We enjoyed a fine sermon and afterwards, the church family held a potluck in honor of my grandma. Granny Em entertained everyone with amusing stories and with her accent they all couldn’t help but love her.

The week passed quickly with many more family gatherings, taking her to watch the girls play in a softball game and seeing some local tourism sites. She was introduced to microwaves, big-screen TV’s, iPods and the market store, as she called it. So many choices, so many things, she’d say over and over. I felt a bit proud to show her the prosperity of my world.

All too soon it was time to take her back to the airport. My husband and children made the trip this time and as we waited for her flight, we asked her what was something she would remember about this trip.

Granny Em closed her eyes, bowed her head, as if saying a prayer. Then lifting her head up she said to us, “You have a wonderful family, wonderful church family and then you have these wonderful,” she paused, searching for the right words, “inventions.”

We smiled and agreed with her. Finally she was going to say how marvelous our way of life was. She continued, “I see your vealth, your riches in these inventions. In the market store, so many choice of food. It is gut. Ja. But, I believe would greatly please the Lord to gain more souls for His kingdom than gain more riches for us. Remember, all can be taken away.”

My family was silent. She had gently smacked us with the truth.

My husband, hugged her saying, “Well said, Granny Em, we needed that.”

My daughters gave Granny Em one final hug and she kissed them on the check. “My darling Anna and June. Keep your hearts and eyes on what ist stored for you in heaven.” The girls nodded in agreement.

Then it was my turn. I was so ashamed of what I had done I could hardly face her. But she opened her arms and took me in and whispered in my ear. “Heidi, you are a gut mother. I’m so proud. You have gut family, friends. Plant seeds, many seeds for the Lord.”

I smiled, tears spilling down my cheeks as I remembered the girl at the airport. “Yes Granny Em, I will.”
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This article has been read 759 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Lynda Schultz 
05/18/06
You brought tears to my eyes. This is wonderful; well-written and with a message exceptionally well presented.
Virginia Gorg
05/18/06
"Gain more souls for His kingdom." A great line in a touching story. We all need a Granny Em to remind us of our treasures :)
terri tiffany
05/20/06
Very nicely written! The characte brought a good message. I liked your dialogue and the pace was good throughout.
Helen Paynter
05/21/06
Well written. You did the accent well, and I loved the phrase 'smacked us with the truth'. In fact, if this were my piece, I would have left it there. It's got such a great punch - take a look, and ask yourself whether anything that comes after that is essential to the piece. Just my opinion. GOod piece.
Dr. Sharon Schuetz
05/24/06
This was so good. You did a great accent and held the momentum to the end. Good job.
dub W
05/24/06
Beautiful, well written, a winner in my book.
Jan Ackerson
05/24/06
Fabulous--you did such a great job with the accent, I could just hear her! Super story.