MY GREATEST BLESSINGS CALL ME NANA

My Blessings Arrive

Crystal was up bright and early.  She was going to try and get the yard work completed before it got too hot.  As she mowed the yard, she could feel the sweat running down her back.  It was going to be a hot day.  She could not take the heat like she used to.  Her husband had always kept the yard up.  She missed him.  His beautiful hazel eyes, his strong hands and arms, his smile, and the love he had always showered her with. There was not a day that went by that she did not think of him. 

Right after his passing, her stepchildren had stayed in touch but not so much anymore.  They had their own life’s and were busy.  She wished that they lived closer. It was hard being in a different state than they were.  She tried her best to stay in touch with them and her grandchildren.  She missed all of them.  Especially the precious faces of her grandchildren.

She went into the house and grabbed a change of clothes.  She was going to need a cool shower.  As the cool water ran over her, she wondered if it would get any easier being without her husband.  It had been a year and she still cried for him.  Her thoughts were distracted with the barking of the dogs.  She got out and dried off and slipped her clothes on.  What was all that fuss about. 

She could hear a light knock on the door.  She crossed the room to the door telling the dogs to hush.  She opened the door to find her two grandchildren standing there. Emma with her strawberry blonde hair and snag a tooth smile and Jacob with his big brown eyes and sweet grin. Hey Nana, they excitedly yelled. She reached down and hugged them smothering their faces with kisses.  She had not expected a visit.  Typically, her daughter would have called since she was traveling from out of state for the visit.

She looked around.  She did not see her daughter or her vehicle.  Where is mommy she asked?  They told her that their mommy had gone to the store.  Jacob handed her a present.  He said mommy had told them to give her the present. 

She ushered them into the house.  She took a seat and opened the present.  It was a letter.  Crystal - I am so sorry to do this to you but I can no longer care for Emma and Jacob.  I need to find myself.  I am leaving them with you because I know you will love them as you loved me.  Crystal sat there staring at the note in disbelief. The kids were wanting to know what was in the box. Crystal took out a pin that said I love you on it and showed it to them.

She ushered them in to the guest room and began unpacking their suitcases.  What was Janice thinking?  She would call her once the kids were settled.  She asked if they had lunch.  They said no.  She had not shopped yet so there was not much in the house.  She turned to the kids and said well guess we will go to McDonalds.  They jumped up and down with excitement. She knew they liked going there.  She loaded them into the vehicle.  Janice had not even bothered to leave their car seats for them.

They pulled into McDonalds, went inside, and ordered some happy meals. While the kids were eating Crystal tried calling Janice.  Her phone was disconnected.  She tried Janice’s biological mother.  She had not seen her in several years.  She sounded drunk so Crystal did not mention what was going on. Their dad had not been in the picture for years.  She was not sure what to do other than take care of them. Worry sank in.  What was going on with Janice. How was she going to afford to care for two children?  She was on a fixed income and was barely getting by as it was.

They stopped by the grocery store.  She had forgotten what it was like to shop with a six and seven-year-old.  They wanted everything.  She avoided the junk food aisles.  She knew that they were used to eating junk foods but that was not how she ate.  She would have to figure out what to cook that they would eat.  She figured tonight she would make spaghetti and a salad for dinner. Something easy and most kids liked spaghetti.

At dinner, the kids asked where their mother was.  Crystal was not sure what to tell them, so she told them that their mother had dropped them off to spend their summer vacation with her.  They were excited about that. She prayed that Janice would come to her senses by then.  She asked who wanted to say grace.  The kids did not know what she was talking about.  She was shocked.  She had raised Janice with Christian values and being thankful for the food on your table was part of what she was taught. Crystal said a simple prayer that she would teach to the children.  They talked about how the school year had went and what grades they were going to be in. They had been held back. They were such beautiful children.  Her heart swelled with love just looking at them.