Distant grandchildren
My ever-wary grandchildren attended the event but kept their distance. They lingered at the edge of the lounge, occasionally glancing in our direction, but never really engaging. My heart sank at the gulf between us. I did my best to include them in conversations. “How’s school going?” I asked, but their answers were short and polite, as if the distance between them and us was not only physical, but emotional. I hoped this dinner was just the beginning, a first crack in the wall of silence that I hoped would let some light into our lives.
Little Children Far Away
A hopeful first step
I hoped this dinner would mark the first step toward repairing our fractured family. Against all odds, the evening had gone better than expected, and that gave me a glimmer of hope. As they prepared to leave, I took care to hug each of them, including my grandchildren, who seemed a little more receptive than usual. “We’ll find a solution,” I whispered to Michael and Linda. They nodded, tired but hopeful. A small flame of optimism lit up inside me. It would be a rocky road, but at least we’d taken the first step.
A First Step Full of Hope
