When I was a child, my grandmother often held meetings for my cousin and I to spend time together. There were about 14 of us, and we were always excited when Grandma invited us to dinner, to sleep with them, to play at night, and on holidays. Grandma's house is the place to go for fun!
All the activities at Grandma's house were fun. But I did not think of all the time and effort spent in each activity. I thought that was exactly what the grandmothers did, and I loved it!
After many happy memories with the cousins at Grandma's house, our family moved. Later, my grandmother went to our new home to be with us on a special occasion. My family thought carefully about the perfect gift for her. He has more equipment than anyone I know. What can we give to the grandmother who already has everything?
I asked Dad for ideas, and he would still say the same thing to me every year: “Why don't you write him a nice letter?” I could not think of anything else, so very early, before everyone woke up, I sat down next to the kitchen table and put my feet on the cold tile and wrote a special letter to my grandmother.
At first I thought of what I could write apart from, “You are so kind. Thank you for everything." As I looked out the kitchen window at the palm trees and at the sky, I thought of the many things Grandma had done for us over the years. I remember never telling Grandma how important those times were to me being together as a family.
In my letter, I told Grandma that I loved her, and I thanked her for all the good memories. I let him know that it was still very important to me, even after many years. Then I put the letter in the envelope, tied it with red ribbon, and went back to my warm, carpeted room.
When it was time to give the gifts to Grandma, I slowly picked up my letter. I do not know what my gift will be to him.
He was surprised when I handed him the envelope. I watched her carefully tear off the end of the envelope and picked up the letter on the narrow, pink paper. When he read this, he began to smile and tears filled his eyes. I just saw Grandma crying. He slowly looked up and approached me fondly reflected in his brown eyes. He whispered, “Thank you, thank you. I thought no one remembered. ”
Grandma, who did much to strengthen family ties, did not think I could remember or appreciate those times when we were together. She wiped her eyes and said, “Kimberly, thank you. This is the best gift anyone can give me. ”
I hugged Grandma tightly, felt her soft skin on my cheek and smelled her scent mixed with baby powder and musk. I am grateful for my father's idea to write him a letter. I did not know that gratitude and love are more important to my grandmother than all the decorations, perfumes, and fruitcakes that money can buy.