A Grandparent is in the Eye of the Beholder
Image by brgfx from Freepik
Emily bounced around her house on the morning of Grandparents’ Day — twirling her new dress as her mother looked for the keys — eager to meet her Popi at school. Listening to music made the ride a little easier but she worried Popi might get to school before her. She didn’t want to miss her chance to welcome him with a great big hug!
Luckily, Popi met Emily on time in the classroom where the teacher had been helping the class prepare for this special day. Together, before lunch, they listened to a message about the importance of grandparents.
Emily was thrilled she would finally get to sing “I’ll Fly Away” and hand out the gift and card she had made in Art class. She had made a picture of a fish because she and her Popi went fishing together. She knew he would love it and hang it on the wall in his house.
Her MaMa used to attend Grandparents’ Day, but she couldn’t walk without her “crunches” and had to stay in bed. Popi still came though and everyone agreed that she had the most fun grandfather. Her teachers even agreed that he was a special man.
Tommy — one of Emily’s classmates — sat all alone during chapel. The teacher went to sit with him, but she had to leave periodically to care for other first graders. Popi waved the teacher over and asked about the little boy with no grandparents. She told him Tommy’s name.
Popi looked at Emily and whispered, “Tommy is sitting alone and is very sad that he doesn’t have a grandparent to spend this special day with. I would like to be his grandpa just for today.”
“But you’re my Popi, not Tommy’s!”
“I will always be your Popi and no one else’s. I know you’re a special girl, though, and don’t want Tommy to be sad. If you want to be a good friend, sharing with him would be nice.”
“Will you love him better?”
Popi smiled and whispered in Emily’s ear, “Not a chance!”
“Will you take him home after school?”
“You wouldn’t have to share me after school.”
Emily’s face scrunched together. “I suppose it might be okay,” she muttered.
Popi beamed. “I am so proud of you!”
Popi nodded to the teacher and she led Tommy over. She introduced him to Popi and asked if he would like to share Emily’s grandpa for the day. A gap-toothed smile spread across Tommy’s face and he nodded — head bouncing up and down like the jack-in-the-box Popi had given Emily for Christmas.
When class was over Tommy told Emily he was glad she had shared Popi, and Emily learned Popi could never love anyone more than her. From that day until Grandparents’ Day ended in middle school, Emily searched for classmates who needed a Popi for the day.
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Paula Frew
Transplanted from Ohio to Kentucky to be near her only daughter and three young grandsons, the author wrote her first poem in the fourth grade. She fell in love with the form and was first published in an anthology at fourteen. A battle with multiple sclerosis has caused her to find her home in a nursing home, where she has found time to craft her poetry as well as time to teach writing to other residents. She has been published in several literary magazines and anthologies, including Ohio Bards and The Walt Whitman Anthology.
You can find Paula on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).
