Grandfather Christmas: Time For Adventure

By Linda O'Toole

Life is short.  Those that are sitting on their death bed never regret doing things even if they failed.  They regret never taking the chance on the things their hearts desired.

Lydia loved her home growing up.  But like so many during her time, once she was married and had children her dreams were put on hold.  She felt she had to get a real job and support those who depended on her.

John lost his parents when he was young and knew what a struggle it could be growing up with the only the bare necessities.  When he married Lydia and the children came along he settled down and worked all the overtime and big projects he could to ensure his family lived a comfortable life.  He lived the respected safe life with his dreams put on hold until his retirement years.  After all 70 was the new 50, so he had lots of time to pursue his dreams in his retirement.

A turn of advents with Lydia’s aging parents and a Christmas spent with family, had them rethinking their current lifestyle.  Can they really afford not to follow their dreams now?

• Language: English
• Publisher: L.O.Toole
• Release date: Nov 16, 2016
• ISBN: 9780993959554

Linda O'Toole

Linda has been a Construction estimator, Project Manager for multi-million-dollar construction projects, Accounts payable clerk, Cashier, Pay and Benefits Clerk, and Adult Educator.  She’s driven forklifts, large flatbed trucks, motorcycles, a 40-foot power boat, and her current favorite - a Smart Car.  She lives in her new dream home in Atlantic Canada with her husband, Toy Poodle, and Maine Coon Cat.   Yes, the cat is bigger than the dog! 

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Copyright

By payment of required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this eBook. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now know or hereinafter invented without the express written permission of the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locals is entirely coincidental.

The reverse engineering, uploading, and/or distributing of this eBook via the Internet or via any other means without the permission of the copyright owner is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated

Copyright © 2016 L. O. Toole

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-0-9939595-5-4

Cover Design: Robin Bourque

Editing: Cuskaden Editorial and Publishing Services

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Dedication

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This book is dedicated to my family who have been behind me from the start.  Someday we will gather around the Grandfather Clock and celebrate, and to the family I married into and all the great weekends we shared at the cottage.

A special thank you to B and J for helping Nana.

Wishing everyone a happy and tradition filled Christmas and may all your dreams come true.

Acknowledgement

It really does take a team to get everything done.  To all my writing friends who encourage, listened, and gave great advice.  Thanks.

Chapter One

As luck would have it, the parking space right next to her mom was open. Lydia slid her Honda Civic in and put it in park. This is going to be a good day.

Today they were doing their Christmas Mother/Daughter shopping blitz. An annual event that took place the middle week of December every year. The local shops held a discount day and the mall in the city held a midnight madness shopping spree with hourly specials. They enjoyed getting out with the Christmas crowds and looking at the bargains. Some years, they’d already finished their shopping but took advantage to buy things for the following year. This was a tradition they’d shared for the last twenty years, and Lydia had been looking forward to spending the day with Mom.

The day always started early. They’d meet at the little diner in the village for breakfast, just like they were today. Having someone cook them breakfast was a rare treat for both of them. Over breakfast they would discuss their strategy for the day. Each would review their list to make sure they didn’t miss anything they needed or specifically were looking for in the sales.

Mom looked a little worn-out when Lydia slid into the other side of the booth. Mom, are you feeling okay? You look a little tired.

I’m fine.

We don’t have to go today if you’re not feeling up to it.

No, I’ve been looking forward to this. We always have so much fun.

We do. Do you have your list and your game plan all worked out? Lydia chuckled.

Right here. Mom tapped her finger against a folded piece of paper she had lying on the table.

Did you order yet?

No, I waited for you. I’ve only been here about five minutes. Shelly brought me a coffee to sip on while I waited. Here she comes now to take our order. Do you know what you want?

I’m having the usual, eggs benedict. It’s such a treat, and besides, no need to break tradition.

I agree. I’m having the same.

Once their orders were given, Lydia got right down to business. What’s on your ‘have to have list’ this year? Mom always had a few things at the top of her list she didn’t want to go home without.

I looked at the flyers last night and there is a sweater at the local girly boutique I think Julie would really like, and I saw the cutest earrings in the jewellery store flyer for Katy. Little crowns with pink rhinestones. What about you? Anything burning up your list?

Something for Dad. He is always my hardest gift. What do you buy a man that has everything?

Lydia watched as her mother got a bit of a faraway look in her eyes. It broke her heart to see her mother, the rock of her life, like this. It had been a hard year on the family with her father’s diagnosis of cancer, but they were working through it. They were given hope on his last check-up. Apparently there was a new drug that would be released in January that could work for him. His name had been put on the list, but the hospital administration had not yet made the decision which patients would be offered the trial drug.

Her father had taken the news well when