Bittersweet – Part 1
Excerpt from Tales From Heritage Farm written by Wenda and Randall Grabau.
There are snapshots in life when the sweet moments delight us. But oftentimes it comes mingled in the bitterest situations. The following story illustrates a day in the life on one girl and her mom who tasted the bitter with the sweet.
* * * *
A huge tear welled up in her sparkling blue eyes. Spilling down the blushed cheek of the slender nine-year-old, it made a moist trail down to her quivering jaw line.
“Mom.” Little Sister’s reddened eyes implored, “Do you care if I get A’s in social studies?”
Mother was taken aback with the topic. She had been busying herself with such urgent matters as sending Christmas cards, stringing Christmas lights on the tree and making plans for a children’s party. It was clear that her preoccupation with holiday preparations was not on her youngest daughter’s mind.
Rather, she was hurting. From her demeanor it was easy to see that something important was troubling her young soul.
This youngster wore the “baby of the family” label. She had three older siblings. Two were college students. Both were achievers and were people to whom she could look with pride. The third sibling was in high school with her unique set of interests, to most of which Little Sister could not relate. Being the smallest child was often a disadvantage to her.
For instance, it hurt to say goodbye to the college-bound brother and sister. Her youth needed and desperately wanted them. They were family after all. When they drove off for school, they ripped a part of her heart away, too.
Little Sister, as she was known, showed her feelings freely. Tears would come when her heart was wrenched with emotions. For good or ill they came easily as they did when her big brother and sister left her.
But today, these tears were of a different sort. These were not goodbye tears. They came from deep inside for no apparent reason.
Mother’s steps slowed and she gazed intently at her littlest child. “Of course, I care that you get A’s for social studies. All of your subjects are important to me. Honey, what’s wrong?” questioned Mother.
“I have to tell you something,” she informed Mother.
Sensing the tenderness of this moment, Mother placed a gentle hand on her daughter’s shoulder. Little Sister buried her face in her mother’s hug. “There, there, now,” Mother comforted, “What seems to be the trouble?”
Wiping away the wetness of the tears from her long lashes, she confessed, “It’s something I have tried not to tell you, but it is always on my mind. I just think I need to tell you.”
“Well, okay, I am listening. What is the matter?”
* * * *
What deep trouble has Little Sister been hiding? Will Mother be able to soothe the situation before her? Find out the conclusion of this little mystery next month.
Recipe:
Pizza Potatoes
1 package Betty Crocker Scalloped Potatoes
1 can (16 ounces) tomatoes
1 ½ cups water
¼ teaspoon crushed oregano
1 package pepperoni
1 package (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
Heat oven to 400°F.
Empty potato slices and packet of sauce mix into a 2 quart casserole. Heat tomatoes, water and oregano to boiling; stir into potatoes. Arrange pepperoni on top and sprinkle with cheese. Bake uncovered for 30 to 35 minutes. (4 servings)
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