My grandfather's second wife, Glenna was my grandmother's adversary from day one. While the rest of the family tolerated her, I thought "Glenna" was French for "Grandma" until I was almost a teenager. I only then learned Grandpa had left my Grandmother with two small children in 1950. Grandpa and Glenna married just before I was born in 1962. By the time I found out about all this, it was too late for me not to like her. I loved her.
I knew it was a sappy thing to do but I couldn't help myself. After my Grandfather died, and knowing Glenna was getting on in years, I sent her a little Eskimo girl figurine with a card telling her how much she meant to me. She died at home shortly thereafter. I lived far from home when both she and Grandpa had died so I wasn't able to make it back for either funeral. My sister-in-law, who had also held Glenna in high esteem, told me later she couldn't find the figurine. We both agreed this was odd since Glenna kept tedious records and was an avid collector of all things dealing with family. The figurine came in my mailbox a few weeks after her funeral with no return address, no card, and postmarked from Anchorage. My sister-in-law insisted she hadn't sent it. I'll probably never know how I came to get it back, but it wouldn't surprise me to find out Heaven's gates are in Alaska.
Article comments
1 - Victor Lana
Just a beautiful tale of a little girl and Christmas, and how something can manifest itself and linger over the years. Really moving, Diana (wiping away a tear).
Happy Christmas!
2 - diana hartman
thank you victor, i'm so glad you liked it!
while the memory has always been with me, the story itself has been brewing for about a week...today, of all days, i couldn't keep it at bay anymore and out it came...
thank you again :)
3 - Samantha Atkinson
This I think is one of the best pieces you have written. Not only because it's true but because I know your heart. Thanks for the cry and the laugh.
Love and miss you guy's.
4 - diana hartman
thank you sam ;)
merry christmas! we miss and love you so much also!
5 - robin
Lovely. I think Glenna probably was just as proud to have you as you were to have her.
And now she's looking down and keeping record of all the wonderful gifts you give to others. I can feel the warmth of her smile as she add's the sharing of this story to her long, long list.
6 - diana hartman
thank you robin!