Grandma and Joyce were sipping tea and enjoying their newly adopted mom and daughter status
and discussing how well Joyce's courses were going at the Technical Institute.

"It'll be great when you finalize the medical transcription requirements and you'll be able to work from home."
Joyce responded, "Oh, Matt is so excited that I can be with him 24-7!"

Grandma kept an ear open for that screen door slam as Jacob was due to arrive for his weekend.
Ah, the creaky hinge but no slam and then a loud whispered, "Grandma ... is Matt in there."
"NO", she stage whispered back as in dashed Jacob. "Matt's next door helping Mr. Williams plant petunias."

"Dang ... I'll miss mudpies but it'll hafta wait because I've got this dilemma ...
well, it's really Matt's dilemma ... and I dunno what to do ...... "
Grandma broke in, "Honey, slow down! Dilemma? Maybe you need to call a radio talk show?"
"Oh, Grandma ... no! You can always figure out stuff and Miss Joyce ya gotta help me, too!
See, next Friday will be the last day of kindergarten for us."
"Well, I know Matt's looking forward to that", said Joyce.

"Oh, only because of the dilemma; he really likes us bein' in the same class now
and stuff but it's a Dad Day thing."
"OHHHH!", in unison from Grandma and Joyce.

"Since Matt's daddy died in the war, the kids kinda look at him funny because ....
and well, his daddy can't do show and tell ... and .... "
"We understand, honey. I remember your Dad did one of those in full police uniform
and told about strangers and what to do and not to, right?"
"Yeh, he was way cool. Everyone said what a 'awesome' dad I have", said Jacob.

Joyce had begun to cry. "Oh, Miss Joyce, I'm sorry!"
Taking Joyce's hand and Jacob's into her other, Grandma requested,
"Let's say a little prayer together for help.
Just pray silently." After a short pause, Grandma said,
"I've got an idea! Joyce go over and plant petunias with Matt and Mr. Williams.
Jacob, you and I are gonna go visit someone."



Sergeant Major Adams rose somewhat stiffly from behind the recruitment office desk
as Grandma and Jacob marched through the door.
"Oh, please don't get up for us, Sir; I see you've a crutch leaning back there."
"Lost a foot and just got a new prosthesis which is why I'm minding the 'store'
but ma'am I'm afraid this fine young man here
wouldn't be quite up to our height requirements for enlistment."
"Well, how about me? Am I tall enough?"
"Ma'am I somehow have the feeling you'd be enough of everything!"
Jacob giggled. "You're right about that, Sir. She can do everything!"
"I believe you, son. Now, how can I help you?"

Grandma and Jacob pulled chairs close to the desk and soon three heads were all bobbing
and phone numbers were exchanged and hands were shook ... firmly with a steady look eye to eye.

"OK, Jacob. Before we leave, there something we must do. That looks like a supply closet over there.
Sergeant Major, we're gonna clean those windows some idiot sprayed.
The Corps image sparkles and those windows are gonna reflect that!"
Soon plenty of soap and brushes and squeegies had those windows shipshape.
"Ma'am, were you by any chance a Drill Instructor in a previous life?"
Grandma hooted her big laugh and said she didn't know
but maybe next time around and we'll be talking!



The days passed quickly and suddenly it was that Dad's Day Friday.
Matt's eyes got very wide when Grandma and his mom, Joyce, came into the classroom.
The teacher motioned for Grandma to address the class.
"Hi there. I'm Jacob and Matt's grandmother and that pretty lady is Matt's momma.
We know all of you are sorry about Matt's daddy being killed in Iraq and wish as he does,
he'd have a daddy not just for Dad's Day but everyday. Well that can't be
but that doesn't mean that just as I sort of adopted Matt and his mommy,
some good man can't sort of adopt Matt."

That was the cue. Sergeant Major Adams without his crutch, walked into the room.
"Young ladies and gentleman, I'm Mike Adams and I'm a Marine.
We consider all Marines as brothers and comrades. I think of Matt's dad as my brother.
That means I am qualified and fit for duty to be Matt's Uncle Mike."
He walked over to Matt's desk as a beaming Jacob watched.
"Matt, you're a fine young man and I would be honored to be your Uncle Mike.
Could we shake hands on that?"
Matt tugged his hair and looked over at his mom who nodded slightly.
"I think that would ... (stammering slightly) ... ah, would be .... AWESOME!"
And the little hand reached into the massive big hand. "Is it OK to hug an uncle?"
Sergeant Major Adams stretched even taller. "Son, that would be a direct order."
A big hug and then grasping Matt's hand again, the Uncle Marine did an about face with Matt in tow.
"Now I have a suprise for all of you. It's your final morning here in class and we've arranged for all of you,
and yes, your parents have all been contacted by Grandma
and we've got the green light, to have the school bus bring you to the base
where you're going to have a picnic lunch in the mess hall
with all the Marines stationed there. How's that sound?"

Whoops and hollers. And then a little girl's hand shot up! "Does that mean we hafta clean up a mess?"
Mike Adams lost it. He guffawed and replied, "No, honey. We are gonna make a mess of food
and you can be as messy as you want to be! Ever wonder how many kinds of pizza there could be?
You're gonna find out. And ice cream." Winking at Grandma he continued,
"Might just have some peanut butter for dipping, too!"



Much later that night, four very tired and stuffed family members gathered in the kitchen.
Grandma sighed. "That prayer worked pretty well. Jacob,
do you think it would be a good idea to thank God for all that's happened?"

"I sure do but I'm not sure what to say, Grandma."
"Just talk to him as you would a very good friend, Jacob."
"Hi, God. We want to thank you for getting Matt an uncle and for having fun with messes
and it was a good thing Grandma and me cleaned those windows.
She always says that when you do something good, that's like a prayer.
Hope you like this one. Wish you could have had some ice cream. Goodnight."

There was a sudden flash of lightening and a rumble of thunder.
Grandma looked at Jacob and he looked at her.
"Sounded like a burp to me, Jacob!"

© Connie Good
July 15, 2005

Dedicated to all who reach out to make a child's life better.

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