Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: PATIENT (11/25/21)
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TITLE: Grammy Time | Previous Challenge Entry
By Arlene Baker
12/01/21 -
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“Sorry, sweetie,” Grammy panted. “I’m moving as fast as I can.” She winced at the odor of fresh manure – too close for comfort.
“How come?”
A nearby elephant trumpeted. Scotty clapped.
“This is the best I can do,” his great-grandmother explained as she leaned on his daddy’s arm.
“How come?” Impatience tinged the repeated question.
Why, indeed, she pondered. Was I ever 6 years old and full of endless energy like dear Scotty here? Her mind stretched back – way back. To his age. Grade school. How anxious she was to be like her big sister and get to do the same things. She forgot to enjoy those days of carefree innocence. In high school, she focused on college and career. Then marriage, children … The list marched through her mind.
“Slow down, son,” his daddy cautioned. “You know Grammy can’t go so fast.” Music burst from the tent.
No, but the years sure have. Galloped past as fast as Scotty’s feet do now. she sighed as Scotty cheered.
“It’s starting,” he shouted as he ran back. “Hurry, hurry!”
“You okay?” Josh asked as he halted to bend over his frail grandmother. “Tired? Do you need to rest?”
“No, honey.” She looked up at her tall grandson. “Just thinking about life.” She pointed at Scotty prancing forward, dashing back, and jumping ahead again.
“Scotty, slow down!” Josh admonished. Other folks flowed around them in their own race to the tent.
“Let him go.” Grammy chuckled. “His antics aren’t any slower than my thoughts. “My own life has darted past me faster than his little feet move now.”
“Yeah, like Dad.” Josh sighed. “Who knew his own life would end so suddenly? How I wish…”
“That was hard.” Grammy swiped the back of her hand across a dampened cheek. “I, too, have so many regrets – always in a hurry, worrying about the next thing – birthdays, holidays, all that stuff – that there was so much left unsaid.” She paused to smile at Scotty. “We can learn a lot from that boy. He’s enjoying today as today. He’s not worried about school on Monday, or even next year. He’s living in the now. His entire focus is on the circus, which he’s enjoying today.”
“Maybe that’s part of what Jesus said about us becoming as children,” Josh mused. “Not fretting over the future to enjoy the now.”
“Could be.” The pair paused by bales of hay, piled as a makeshift bench.
“Sit, Grammy.” Josh pointed. “Scotty can wait a few more minutes.”
With a grateful sigh, she sank down, inhaling the freshness of the hay.
“Better than any throne,” she laughed. “Especially when one’s bones are weary.”
Scotty dashed back. Pulled a long strand of hay from the bale, thrust it into his mouth, hooked his thumbs in his jeans pockets and struck a pose. She laughed.
Scotty giggled, then unfamiliar soberness bathed his face. “You alright, Grammy?”
She nodded, pulled him close and planted a kiss on his cheek. A few minutes later, she rose to her feet. “The boy has waited long enough. Let’s go.”
Scotty slipped a hand into hers and said as he matched each halting step, “I walk with you now, Grammy, cuz I love you.”
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Beautifully written. Many senior citizens can relate to this. Not long ago, I was low in spirit and my four grandchildren [3-14years] were visiting. The noise, running around, breaking things...I was concerned.
Then I was, by God's grace, in my best of health when they visited again. It was all great joy and fun.
in a week or two!:) You did a great job of writing on topic without overusing the topic word. The story flowed nicely and I needed reminders of the great message.