GRANDMA & GRANDPA: YOUR LOVE IS AMAZINGLY THE BEST PRICELESS MEMORIES

By C. M. Dowdell

You’ve been told a lie, what you know about grandparents is wrong, problematic at its best.
Under the duress of traumatic stress, I tried to kill a black cat-crazy-evil on purpose. Yet, it tried to kill me first! Babysitting gigs went everywhere other than smooth. Each day was a “War Zone.” Dracula just showed up on the regular without even a knock on the door before I could invite him in.

Neighbors walked around looking like “Zombies” of an unknown planet. Dogs and chickens are humongously gigantic, they tried to eat me/my whole family. My prayers to God is the only thing that saved my life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9798369407233

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Copyright © 2023 by C. M. Dowdell.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

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without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Rev. date: 09/11/2023

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CONTENTS

Intro

Special Message for You Nana and Papa (at the end)

Reflections

Inspired by True Events

INTRO

Hello and welcome, everyone. I’d like to take this opportunity to each and every one of you for taking the time form your busy schedules to stop by and check out this wonderful story my brother and I wanted to share about our amazing grandparents. Evet though the ideas or situations all seem the same, please be aware I’ve asked a very special and dear friend for help getting through this wonderful and exciting journey. Because I’ve never written nor ever thought of the idea of how to do anything other than have an idea that I needed to tell our story to the world about two of the best grandparents in the whole world. The more we conversed and laid all ideas out on the table, it seemed that in such a short time, things began to fall into place. The support we were short of was having someone to write the story we needed to tell for the love of our very sweet and dear grandparents. Can I take one second and ask you this valid question? Have you ever wanted to find a way to do something but had no idea how it would get done? This is me, Tia! To make it all sound very easy, my dearest friend (writer), my younger brother and I were able to put our heads together hoping to come up with something great to share with each of you about our loving grandparents, also how much they mean to our family. Part of what you’ll read will be based on history, knowledge, ideas, the value of friendship, love, and understanding brings bondage between all living things among us, and can always overcome any obstacles or challenges. The indirect statements or comments are not to be judgmental nor prejudiced by anyone; adventures of life (in general), also having some sort of discipline it usually takes to grow a mountain from a tiny piece of mold. Please keep in mind, everyone, all that you read here will not validate your life or relationships with your family, friends, or grandparents as long as you can understand certain circumstances can happen to anyone or anything. This is all we ask that you consider as the journey continues throughout. Before we all get started, I’d first like to give a very special Thank You to my dear friend Cynthia. Neither of us could have gotten through this special project without her. Amen.

The end.

One of the greatest gifts in the world God could have given me was the blessing of knowing I had the opportunity to have my grandparents in my life during my growing up years to now because they are absolutely amazing! I give thanks to God for both every day. I feel that I have learned so much from their guidance and wisdom alone I could never get enough of. There is simply not enough time in the day to hear hundreds of stories to share. To let the truth be known, our history books ain’t got nothing on my grandparents! And you? Yes, I can imagine.

It’s unfortunate for some who may have fallen short of having such a blessing in your life and if that’s you, I am sorry for the missed opportunity. Look at it on this more positive note, before you and I existed, many people had fallen short of a blessing. Unfortunately, there will be many more! I too have fallen short of making a few miracles happen in my life of my own, but at least you and I are not alone, friend. Cases as such, we hold our heads up higher and keep living, and do not look back!

Things will occur in our lives we have absolutely no control over, but we always keep hope alive for a better day ahead. The people who call themselves our leaders are clueless themselves knowing the world seems a bit upside down and can make no one any promises.

Knowing deep down in your heart and soul, your grandparent(s) has the knowledge that is more able to connect each of us to our genuine/original roots helping us to understand more about who we are and where we came from, without being ashamed of the truth to the matter. Have you ever wondered if that was the case, none other than our grandparents would be a better fit to run this country the way it is to be! Yeah! Me too, and I agree!

I have a best friend’s grandmother who is a sixty-five-year-old biker chick. Her biker boyfriend calls her his Old Lady, which means for others to keep his hands off. You like? Yeah, me too. This particular grandmother is very interesting! I don’t understand why she’s not an actor because her personality is of a comedic type of individual who functions very well doing several things at once and still being focused, and a very sweet lady and very funny. Each time I visited their home, her granny was always a laughter of joy.

I can imagine right now seeing my best friend’s grandmother elected as a senior advisor inside the White House, sipping on gin and juice and a small shot of MD 20/20 yelling out, Come meerm, son, now gwron over dare tell my people. I said, It wudden me! Then say, That tasmanian devil got caught whit his hands in da cookie jar mistaken it fo a sweet potato! You should have done what I did. Run! Next, she’d take a bull horn telling everybody, No work, today, folks, loosen your shurt collar Butler cauz we gidden ready to party like it’s 1999!

Gone on to say to the house members, Chili-chili bang-bang! Welcome to our new thang! Granny is rockin the house now, blessings now for da hoods because I’m getting ready to make it rain! lol rocking lol Granny is definitely a character, isn’t she? Later, she and the biker boyfriend cruised through the background cheering hip hooray over and over. Can you just imagine your granny being this type of character? Hardly right! With all she has going on, should we begin being a bit concerned? Naw, naw! Let me just say that we all can adjust to a little fun in our life every now and then, you think?

Are there any other candidates on the roster because we just may need a second opinion. Lol lol lol. Biker chick, we love you and all the characters you bring to the party. :) smile

They say when people are at the highest of being uptight from having an IQ of about 250 (way too smart), it is that early certain they are about to screw something up at any given moment without going to the books first. Your brain can function so much better when it is relaxed and free with time to envision the situation in order to come up later with the solution! Grandparents already know the solution before the problem ever begins! Amazing!

I have one for you: A little boy was having a chat with his grandfather one day about his bicycle tire not having any air in it, therefore, the tire was sitting on a flat. Grandpa asked his grandson, What did you do with the nail that was stuck inside of your tire? Little boy replied, Nothing. Strange look on his face as if his grandfather was speaking a language no one ever heard of. His grandfather got quiet for few minutes and just stared at his grandson. The little boy kept looking over at his grandpa but down toward his feet (his squirmy little eyes), then soon tilted his head toward the sky.

I’m sure the young man wondered how his grandfather knew that his tire was punctured from running over a nail. Also, knowing if Grandpa found out the truth, he’d be in trouble. Still, the boy looked confused and frightened. His grandfather grew tired of the silence and stood straight up and tall looking directly into his grandson’s eyes saying to him, Now you need to get your behind up from here right now, go out to my shop and take the same nail you tried to put in my toolbox to your grandmother and explain why you went down to that candy store after she told you not to go. Grandpa then said, The next time you try to sneak a nail in my toolbox, at least make sure you have sense enough to put it in the right place.

Tears began filling the boy’s eyes looking up at his grandfather and asked him, Grandpa, how did you know? His papa replied back and said, Son, you are my seed, and I know you! His grandfather said, Hell, I tried to play the same exact trick on my daddy when I was about your age and got my behind beat so bad it knocked my senses into the next year! Daddy fixed my tire but my behind was so sore I couldn’t ride that bike for a whole year! His grandkid asked, Grandpa why a whole year—what happened?" Papa chuckled and chuckled.

His grandfather explained besides the lie he told, each time he looked at his bicycle, he couldn’t stop thinking about that whipping he got from his father. Every time he peeped over at his bicycle from the corner of his eye, he got so angry and kicked the same tire that went flat slamming the tire for getting his butt whipped expediting him into distress. Lol lol lol.

The grandson looked up at his grandfather and said to him, Grandpa, I’m sorry I disobeyed grandma. You see last night in my dream, I saw this huge Butterfinger, and it kept calling my name, I just had to get one. So I ate it before coming back thinking no one would know where I slipped off to. Grandfather replied once more, I hope next time, son, you dream of something other than that, and unless you get permission to leave this house the next time, that Butterfinger gonna make welts to your butt. Don’t call me! In fact, I’ll be sitting off in a corner saying to myself, ‘Damn he did it again.’

The young man’s grandfather took him by the hand, and together, they walked into the house to let Grandmother know about the little adventure. Later, the little boy didn’t get the whipping by Grandmother as he thought. Surprise! After she heard about all that happened, she felt sympathy that her grandson seemed to slightly tormented his own soul enough so why further discipline, huh? Bless his heart.

Later, both grandparents agreed, and based on the young man’s deceitfulness, their grandson was put on punishment for one week. It was arranged for their grandson to go around the entire neighborhood (using a pickup stick and plastic bag) collecting candy wrappers people threw out for trash.

This is what’s so cool about our grandparents! They’re not quick to discipline us children for doing bad things. Instead, their logic bonds with reasoning because the same tricks we attempt to do unto others, they’ve done them three or four times or better! My grandpa taught me that situations are understood and require no explanation. Lesson taught—lesson learned.

Lies today will make you pay tomorrow but at a much higher price than usual. Lesson learned from this basic scenario, always be truthful even if it hurts you inside. This is for everyone, including adults!

From generation to generation, grandparents have bridged their families all over the world nurturing their families from nothing to something, and without the slightest thought of looking back. It may be a strong possibility that most grandparents are often forgotten or not given the credit that they deserve.

It breaks my heart to think back for so many years through heavy sweating tears, both our Nana and Papa have sacrificed so much just to make sure their families were okay and well. Yet, what do some of us give back? Absolutely nothing! My guess right now is that dignity and respect just flew right out the window head-on.

I decided to write a great story about two of the most unselfish people (grandparents), that I’ve known my entire life and the love I carry daily for them has no boundaries. It was an idea of honor by simply a way to give back to those we should never forget, I don’t know about you, but that thing we call love is like a breath of fresh air.

These two individuals have indeed been the anchors for our adoring family, the special moments we have shared together are countless. Both are my heroes, my strengths, and my inspiration, and are brilliant in their own way. In spite of what others may say about their grandparents, I love mine very much my way. Maybe this is you!

Prayer of Praise

Hello, Grandma and Grandpa. How are you feeling today? Whatever you may be doing right now, I want you to know I spoke with God today and said a very special prayer for you both. Of course, we already know he spoke back in no words. Yet, I know he is always listening.

You’d be proud to know I did not ask for wealth or fame because you taught me better. I asked him to send treasures of a far more lasting kind. I asked God if he’d be near you at the start of the day, keeping you both safe during the night, and also to grant you both good health and lots of blessings and friends to share your way. I prayed for happiness for you in all things great or small, but it was for God’s loving care I prayed the most for all in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Grandma, Grandpa, you always taught me to have an understanding of right from wrong, never forgetting to allow God into the equation in order for things to turn out as it is supposed to. In case you both have noticed how my life has turned out, I never forgot your teachings that have impacted my success. Also, I pray to God that he continues keeping my eyes open so that I’ll always see the good or best in all people regardless of the color of one’s skin, fame, or wealth.

My heart forgives the worst in everyone. It’s a great thing that we realize even in the worst of the bad that even he or she is worthy of having a soul that never loses faith in the God we serve. I am not perfect and certainly not clueless. I am thankful for the birth of two great parents whom I love so dearly. Thank you for the gift of my hummingbirds who sing with cheer. (North American Pacific Coast.) Simply amazing.

Grandma and Grandpa, I am most thankful to you for all the good you both passed on to me and my little brother. You allowed your moving spirit God bestowed upon your hearts just for me! They say there are angels in heaven above. I personally feel deep inside my heart God placed you both to be our angels to enjoy this beautiful planet Earth which he has created for us all with the love of joy, happiness, peace, and love to share with everyone, including the hatred and unkind-unfriendly. He placed you here with us knowing your services would be needed.

I am well aware that no matter which path we take, God has already walked it more than a million times already. The hills and mountains you climb for us, God had already climbed for you and us before the thought began in motion.

To God, if either of my grandparents should need my help in either way, I pray that you bless me with the strength to get to them, always having the courage in my heart to take at least one thousand steps up that same mountain or slope fetching a pail of water suppressing their thirst. God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. I say this special prayer because you, God, have all the powers to fix us each time we are broken (including me) and are always there when we need you.

Father God, I believe in your every word, I trust you, and I have faith in the love you store every day for us all. If no you, then no us! Thank you, God, so much for your blessings to have our loving grandparents’ existence on your beautiful planet. Always in your son’s holy name. Amen. Hallelujah!

Excuse me, Grandma and Grandpa, I needed to slip a prayer in there for God because if not you, there would be no me! Your understanding is greatly appreciated. You both have been a true blessing to our family—our lives today and tomorrow, and always honor you both for all that you’ve done unselfishly. You took the time to carry us from the very first day, yet, still today we feel your presence from miles away.

I love you both without measure and thank you so very much for everything. The day God brought you both into my life from the second I was born has been the best blessing of all. Nana and Papa, you both are absolutely wonderful and I cannot thank either of you enough for all the wonders you introduced into my life. Wado (English version thank you).

SPECIAL MESSAGE

FOR YOU NANA AND

PAPA (AT THE END)

They Don’t Come Like You Anymore

You are absolutely amazing and truly priceless! So long ago, the stability and closeness of our relationship had a mutual benefit (health and well-being) that has turned its positive effects on so many levels enhancing my life. You both demonstrated to me pure joy inside. I am a copycat of your existing egos, which stand taller than the Burj Khalifa (Dubai) skyscraper. Your warm hugs and honey bee kisses were like the brightest star we always found our wishes each night before bedtime. Your tickles were like a sprinkle of fun out in the sun. My, those were the best!

You always held our hands when we were so little each time (at an outing) as though we were a pot of gold. Your stories and tales from the past memories will last forever in our hearts and souls. At times you both were having your moment to read to us at bedtime, but you never missed an I love you greeting. Deep within your mind, body, and soul, you should know by now that your structure has reached us deeply, and it shows by the way you still teach us to this day.

You are made of patience slower than the clock ticks time, so much knowledge getting better by the day. Our minds