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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Grandparent(s) (04/03/08)
Summer, 1965

Dear Mom,

Thanks a lot for ruining my summer. Instead of hanging out at the mall, I’m stuck here helping Grandma. I know Grandpa’s sick, and she needs help. But Grandpa sleeps all day, so we always have to stay quiet

It’s not fair! The last thing a teenager wants is to work all day, and the silence doesn’t make it any easier. I won’t ever complain again about how noisy the other kids get. The loudest thing here is the clock in the kitchen. Helping Grandma is OK, but all I do for enjoyment is read books. She doesn’t even have a TV!.

There aren’t any other kids in the neighborhood. I wouldn’t have much time to play, but it would be nice to talk to someone my own age. The town is pretty boring, too. The only interesting place is the Sweet Shoppe. They sell bakery stuff and ice cream, but I don’t have any money.

Grandma looks tired. I help with chores and cooking, but she’s always taking care of Grandpa. Sometimes, I see her crying or hear her praying for him.

This has got to be the most boring summer in history.

Love you anyway,
Tammy

************************************************************************
Dear Mom,

I guess this summer won’t be so bad, but it’s still pretty boring.

Yesterday, I polished silverware. The smell of polish was awful, but it was fun to see the silver gleam. When Grandma saw it, she smiled and told me I was a comfort to her.

She showed me a secret treasure box, and said I could look in it any time. She told me that, once in awhile, I’ll find treasures in the box, for me. Grandma says it used to be your treasure box, when you were a little girl. Last night there was a quarter in it! I ran all the way to The Sweet Shoppe and bought rainbow sherbet.

I’ll write again next week.
Love,
Tammy

************************************************************************



Dear Mom,

Yesterday, I read the Bible to Grandpa. He got quiet and I stopped, but he grabbed my hand until I continued. Grandma says he wants to hear about God, because soon he’ll meet Him. I asked if Grandpa’s frightened to meet God. Grandma said, “He’s not afraid, because he’s known Him all his life.” How can that be? God’s in heaven; how could Grandpa ever meet Him? Grandma explained how God can live inside people’s hearts. That sounds pretty cool.

Yesterday I polished the windows in the sun porch. When I was finished, the sunshine made the porch really warm, and seemed to paint the wicker chairs with gold. It was really nice. When I was done, I did a dance with one of the sunbeams.

That night, inside my treasure box, beside the quarter, was the words to a song called “Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam.” I blinked when I saw the title. Had Grandma seen me dancing? Why did she give me that song? I got my sherbet, but that song has me thinking about how a person can be a sunbeam. Do you know, Mom?

Love,
Tammy

****************************************************************
Dear Mom,

I’ll see you Friday, for Grandpa’s funeral, but I wanted to write to you, first. Yesterday, as I was reading the Bible to Grandpa, he suddenly stopped breathing. I got scared and called Grandma. She cried for a minute, and said, “rest in peace, sweetheart.” She told me Grandpa is in heaven, and he’s at peace, because he’s with the Lord.

I remembered how peaceful Grandpa had been, and how he always loved to hear about God. I thought about how Grandma could be happy and sad at the same time; because Grandpa’s in heaven. I asked her to tell me about God. After she did, I said I wanted Jesus in my heart – so, Grandma helped me pray. I believe that Jesus is in my heart right now!

Last night, when I opened the treasure box, I found Grandpa’s Bible. Grandma says it will help me learn more about Jesus. I can’t wait to read it. I don’t even care that there wasn’t a quarter in the box; I think having Jesus inside my heart will be better than rainbow sherbet.

When you come on Friday, can we talk about God? I’ve never heard you talk about Him. If you don’t know Him, maybe we can read the Bible, and get to know Him together.

Can’t wait to see you!
Love
Tammy
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This article has been read 1191 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Christine Dunn
04/10/08
This worked so well as a diary entry. I enjoyed watching her relationship develop with both grandparents.
Sara Harricharan
04/11/08
This is so precious! I loved the character of Tammy, and I really liked the letter format. It was great, I felt sad at the end that her Grandpa died, but there was hope with her new life beginning in Christ. Great stuff! ^_^
Chely Roach
04/11/08
The Bible in the box was a wonderful touch to a great piece...very nice.
Beth LaBuff 
04/11/08
Your story is very touching, well-developed, and is told creatively. Each progression tells more of the story and draws the reader in deeper. You bring back a lot of memories with the quarter for candy and the song you mention. I really enjoyed reading this.
Patty Wysong
04/12/08
This is super. I love the format and the progression of it. It brought tears to my eyes at the end--so bittersweet for Granma. Great job!! :-)
Glynis Becker
04/14/08
Now I need a tissue :) This is beautiful and tender and I really like the use of the letter as a storytelling device. Wonderful piece!
Holly Westefeld
04/16/08
A treasure of a story. I liked the transformation from bored teen to exuberant baby Christian. Now if I just blink and swalow a few times, both eyes and throat will return to normal.
Joshua Janoski
04/17/08
My grandmother used to sing that song "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam." You reminded me of that when you mentioned it in your story.

The letter format worked nicely to tell your story. I really appreciate that the little girl wanted to know more about Jesus by the end of the story.

You have great writing talent, and it is demonstrated in this story. Thank you for sharing.