Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Illustrate the meaning of "Every Dark Cloud has a Silver Lining" (without using the actual phrase or literal example). (02/28/08)
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TITLE: Grandma Nellie's Pasture Story | Previous Challenge Entry
By D. Phenes
03/04/08 -
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"Grandma Nellie, Grandma Nellie I am here." Shelly declared her entrance into the house.
"Why darlin' I'm so glad ya made it, I have been waiting quite impatiently." laughingly I told her. Shelly jumped upon my lap and smothered me with her kisses and hugs.
"Mom, thanks for watching her for us." my daughter called out as she headed out the door.
After we had some snacks, we sat at our favorite place - the porch swing. Shelly laid her head in my lap and looked up at me and asked “Grandma, tell me some of your pasture stories."
"My pasture stories?" I asked even though I knew what she was asking. It was one of our lil' traditions.
"Grandma, you know what I mean. The stories about you young." declared Shelly.
As I finished my story, my granddaughter lay quietly in my lap. I did not say anything, thinking I may have put her to sleep. "Why you had lots of bad things in your life and not many GOOD ones" my granddaughter finally spoke what she had been thinking.
"My gracious child, there was plenty of good. Your mother, you and your grandpa God rest his soul." I explained to her.
"It was hard for you. Harder than anything I have had." Shelley tried to explain in her seven year old language.
"Oh I get you child." I reassured her. "Many of the troubling times in my life did have some 'GOOD' in them." comfortingly I spoke to her as I ran my hand thru her hair.
"There was a time when I was about thirteen years old and my sister Prudy who was seventeen at the time." I began to recall.
Prudy was always the wild child. She never listened to anyone. My mother would argue with her about what she was wearing or saying. Prudy wanted to be on her own, for then she would not have to listen to anyone.
I loved her more than any other of my siblings and would pray that she would get along with my parents. For I only wanted peace for them and for myself.
One day I came home from school to find my mother in a heap on the floor sobbing. My father was walking back and forth saying some very bad words that I have never heard him say. They sent me directly to my room. I overheard them as I went upstairs, saying that my dear Prudy had run away.
"Aunt Prudy I have never heard of her Grandma?" questioned Kelly.
"Sweet heart she passed away before you were born." I explained.
My parents were so distraught over Prudy. They did not know what to do. Dad searched everywhere and Mom called everyone. My siblings and I went door to door. After a few weeks, they realized Prudy was lost to them.
About this time, my parents decided to make some changes in our family. One change was to spend time with us children. Dad got home early every night and Mom did not play cards with her lady friends as much. My Grandma even got them to take us to her church.
First my brother Arthur got saved and then myself. Before you knew it the whole family had accepted the Lord as their Savior. Our family had added Jesus to our household.
"What about Aunt Prudy?" whispered Kelly?
"Hold on child." laughingly I chided her.
Things in our household had changed so much by the time we had heard from Prudy. One day Prudy showed up with her head held down in shame. I am sure she expected a blasting from my parents. She had not stepped two feet in the door, when my parents smothered her with their hugs and tears.
"You see child, my parents knew what it felt to be lost. They knew Prudy was as lost as they were without God in their lives." with tears of joy I ended my story.
"It's a GOOD one Grandma." my granddaughter declared.
"Yes, child it's definitely a GOOD one." I agreed.
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Had a laugh at the beginning grand daughter's part was great (I have a grandson) had tears in the middle and joy at the end. Stories should touch our hearts. This one did mine. - You should send this somewhere - Hearts stories, God Allows U Turns, or Chicken Soup for the Soul.
"Good one." Grandma - I agree with Prudy.
Thanks and keep up the excellent writing.
Anyway, I liked the way the characters in the story had their own unique voices.
Laury
There are some errors in punctuation--dialogue, missing commas, unnecessary periods, etc. Perhaps check out a website with those rules and examples?
This is a very tender story.