Holiday Hopes: Microfiction
"Merry Christmas." Her grandson kissed her cheek and handed her a bottle. "You had something for us?"
Minerva rose. "I'll make coffee."
"No time." He checked his phone. "I need to get the kids from Mom's."
Minerva handed him the envelopes.
She waved goodbye, alone with wine she couldn't open.
This little piece is inspired by @Jayna's fifty word prompt (gift this week). Sadly far too many people spend the holiday seasons like Minerva here--mostly alone with family members who want their money and presents but can't be bothered to give them the one gift they need: love and attention. Please this holiday season see if you can find some older family members and friends and give them that one gift they really need this season (and all year round)--your time. Slow down. Drink the coffee. Have a conversation.
My mother-in-law joined us earlier this week for the holiday baking. She isn't up to doing all these things on her own, but she loves it. So my husband picked her up and we set her on a tall chair at our kitchen island and she joined us in shaping and baking a selection of Danish and American cookies. We also gave her a meal of an old favorite that isn't often on the menu at the senior center next to her tiny apartment. I am certain that meant more to her than any of the gifts we could have bought her.
So take some time out of your busy holidays to remember those who helped shape your childhood memories. And if they're far away or passed away, like mine are, find someone else to give it to.
Posted from my blog with SteemPress : http://bex-dk.com/2018/12/21/holiday-hopes-microfiction/
Really beautiful story, and hits close to home for me.
One of the main reasons we drive up to Wisconsin from Florida every year (and for Thanksgiving, and during the summer) is because my mom lives there alone. She doesn't get out much, and unless we make the effort to go to her she never really does anything on her own. We'll take her out to eat or help her with yard work or sit around and chat with coffee. She's a fountain of chatter then; so much to say that's stored up from the last time we visited.
Any senior activity centers you could give her a membership to for the holidays? MiL refused to go near the one she now lives at despite encouragement and offers to accompany her. Then she fell and broke her hip and had temporary housing while she recovered and didn't want to leave again. Maybe there is something there you could escort her to and help her make connections? But sometimes really all thry want is their family. You do what you can. It's hard when we live far away. I'm six time zones from my Dad and Grandmother.
We've given her lots of suggestions like that, but we can't force anyone to do anything if they don't want to. We've also suggested she could come back with us to Florida on any of our return trips, but that hasn't panned out yet either. Maybe I just need to be more forceful :)
Oh, this is very sweet, @bex-dk. It’s really true. We forget how the simple gift of time and attention is the most important thing of all to share with an elderly person. Most of my older generation has moved on, with the exception of one uncle who is far away. But you’ve inspired me to give him a call. Happy Holidays!
What an all too realistic vignette.
I have a dear Aunt in Florida, a mere 3,000 miles away. Though there's no way I can visit for Christmas, I surely need to go see her soon before its too late.
Thanks for this evocative reminder!
😄😇😄
Oh my! Terribly sad! I'm wondering how many envelopes, how many of her loved ones she'd thought of but only one came to see her, and that one not even giving her enough time to sip a cup of coffee, he'd only come for the cash.