The Birth and Idea is Born; book excerpt of “Granny’s Gift”

By Diane Landry –

The decisions we make can change our lives forever. Some are afraid to make life changing decisions, and in so doing have made a decision, to make no decision. Some make a hasty decision, and then live to regret the decision they’ve made. Still others make a thoughtful and prayerful decision, and then are blessed by the results.

In “Granny’s Gift,” Leslie was called to make such a decision. She was faced with a decision that had kept her up most of the night. Dr. Stephens’ words, “She’s not doing well, Leslie cannot continue living alone. I know you live close by, but that’s simply not enough, anymore. It’s simply unsafe for her, and we’ll need to consider other arrangements for her, perhaps, a nursing home.”

fall scents for your home

Leslie enjoyed a good life, successful career, financial security, so she was able to do so. Among the many things Granny had taught Leslie, making wise financial choices was one of them.

She gazed out the window, early that morning. The desire to care for her ailing Granny, with early signs of Alzheimer’s, would require that she take time out of her career to do so. It was really the only choice she had.

When Leslie arrived to work to share her decision with her boss, she ran into Michael, a friend and co-worker, who offered, “If you need anything, just let me know…” That statement gave Leslie a whole new outlook on Michael.

With that in mind, she drove to work, determined to share her decision with a less than supportive boss. However, despite Jeri’s arguments and concerns, Leslie refused to take “no” for an answer. Hesitantly, Jeri granted Leslie the Medical Leave of Absence she sought.

When Leslie arrived at Granny‘s, she tried to explain without overstepping Granny’s independence. “Now Leslie, I can manage just fine. You don’t have to go and put yourself out or anything like that.” “I’ve already taken time off from work.”

Leslie knew that if she had talked to Granny first, that Granny would not have wanted Leslie to take time off from work. “I know I should’ve, but I knew you would object.”

“Thanks for a great dinner, Teresa!” Granny said to Leslie. Teresa was Leslie’s mother’s name. Her bouts of forgetfulness were becoming more frequent.

As Leslie cleaned the kitchen, a knock came on the door. It was Brother Mike, the Pastor of their church. “I just wanted to stop by and see how Miss Lilly was doing.”

It had been a while since Leslie had been to church. She promised Brother Mike that she would attend soon. He said he would hold her to that. “She has her moments, when everything seems to be fine and then, without warning, she is a little girl again.

Sometimes, she even seems to be talking to Grandpa, or my mom and dad. It’s hard, sometimes, just seeing her drifting in and out of reality. I don’t always know how to respond to her. I try to understand, but it’s just hard. I just want my Granny back, but I am accepting things as they are now.”

“I know it must be hard, Leslie, but know that we are here, and are holding you both in our prayers. If you need anything, please just let us know.”

Michael called Leslie frequently to find out how she and Granny were doing. He stopped by occasionally to see them. Once, Leslie invited Michael after church. Their longtime friendship blossomed into a romance, during what was a very difficult time for Leslie.

As Leslie lived with Granny, watching her day by day, she found what she had been missing in her own life. She witnessed firsthand the love and peace Granny enjoyed as a result of her relationship with Jesus.

During the process of getting her relationship with God restored, a romance with Michael began to blossom. The love she had longed for was there, all along.  As the days began to flow into weeks and month, it was difficult watching Granny’s health fail, and Alzheimer’s claim more of her mind. However, during those months, she made lasting memories with Granny. Michael became a source of strength and encouragement.

One day she went in to check on Granny. “Granny? ” but no response. Granny didn’t normally sleep so soundly, Leslie thought. She walked to over Granny’s bed. Her Bible was laid across her chest. She remembered how Granny had once said that when Jesus called her home, she wanted to be reading His Word. It seemed she had been granted her wish. Granny lay there lifeless. Tears began to flow. Leslie called 911, but it was too late. Granny had peacefully passed from this life, to the next.

The days that followed were just a daze for Leslie: the funeral, the friends, the enormous amounts of food, was all so touching. Granny had touched the lives of so many during her brief period on earth.

Leslie, Granny’s sole heir, inherited all of Granny’s earthly possessions. She didn’t need it, so chose instead to begin a ministry to reach out to the community, and rightly named it, “Granny’s Gift.”

Never did she regret the decision, she had made, just months earlier. Her own redemption was realized, as a result of giving of herself and time to her Granny; taking time out of her career to care for Granny.

A year later, she married her best friend, Michael.

Diane Landry is a Christian freelance writer/author, of “Granny’s Gift.” She is a contributor for Yahoo’s AC, and writer for Examiner.com. She received her BS degree in Business Management and Administration. She is originally from Houma, Louisiana, but makes her home in Woodstock, Georgia.

Comments from the book, reveal how the book touches hearts in different ways;
Cheri M., Baja CA, wrote, “I loved the book! It helped me to put things in my own life, in perspective.

“Granny’s Gift,” is available in e-book format through Barnes & Noble Nook, Amazon Kindle, and a traditional format through http://www.dianelandrybooks.com/,  http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Grannys-Gift/Diane-Landry/e/9781456047702/?itm=2&USRI=granny%27s+gifthttp://www.amazon.com/Grannys-Gift-ebook/dp/B004KAAAGA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1297254452&sr=8-2

4 thoughts on “The Birth and Idea is Born; book excerpt of “Granny’s Gift””

  1. This book seems like the perfect thing to read to prepare you for an aging family member. Sometimes, I find, it helps to read a story that you can relate to, to see what a person did when faced with similar situations to yours. “Granny’s Gift” definitely seems like this kind of book!

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The Birth and Idea is Born; book excerpt of “Granny’s Gift”
Scroll to Top