Grandma sat in the dark sipping her morning coffee and thought about how many changes had happened
and how lucky she was to have a home full of love with grandson Jacob every weekend
and the addition of Matt and his momma, Joyce.
And then the arrival of Dee Dee with baby LaTricia from the storm ravaged gulf coast.
She thought of Marine Mike who'd become Matt's "uncle".
She thought how lucky her daughter Margaret and son-in-law Jim were to have satisfying careers
and how Jim's being a police officer was such a good influence for the boys.
Margaret had recently mentioned that Mr. Grumpyman at the nursing home wanted another visit.
"Guess I'd better ask my head nurse daughter to give me heads up best time", she pondered

and then came the sound of that screen door banging shut and Jacob whispered,
"Grandma... are you in there? Is the power off?"
She flicked on the sink light ... "C'mon in, honey. Everybody is still snoozing. Want some milk?"
"Could I have a cookie with it?"
"Only if you get one for me!"

Jacob dunked. "Grandma, when is it OK to tell a secret?"
"Well, if you tell then it's no longer a secret. And when someone trusts you not to tell .... "
"Yeah. But Grandma it's a problem! Matt's got a problem and he's scared!"
"OK. Why don't you pour another glass of milk and grab a couple cookies
and go back to the guy room and ask him if he wants to tell me his secret."

Within a few minutes two guys with white mustaches and cookie crumbs appeared.
Matt ran to Grandma and buried his face in her lap.
Jacob jammed the rest of the cookie down and ran to hug Matt.
"Whoa, guys! Is there something you need to tell me?"



Tears stained Matt's face. "I think Mom and Uncle Mike are gonna get married
and what's my daddy in heaven gonna think, Grandma!
We've been going on 'dates' and I saw Uncle Mike kissing Mommy!
And I never wanna leave here!"

"Wow! Guess I've been so busy with Dee Dee and LaTricia, I've been missing stuff!
OK, now let's take it step by step. Honey, if your daddy and mommy hadn't loved each other,
you wouldn't be here. And it's for sure your daddy will be in yours and mommy's hearts forever
and daddy would want you both to be happy and safe. Right?"
"Guess so," replied Matt blowing his nose.

"My daddy says that people should be together and that there's all kinds of love," added Jacob.
"Guess so," Matt said with some doubt still mixed with tears.

"No one will ever replace your daddy, Matt. But new families can be made; just look at us!
And look at Dee Dee and little LaTricia ... we're all family now,"
explained Grandma as Jacob nodded and patted Matt's shoulder.

Jacob looked at Grandma. "Hmmm, could we go on a 'date' with Matt, Joyce and Marine Mike?"
"I know just the place. We'll go to the diner ...
.... "where Mommy used to work?", chimed Matt ....
... "and date over pancakes!", hollered Jacob.



And so a sticky "problem" was soon resolved with ring presented which was covered in syrup.
And a wedding was planned. The plan included inviting all Jacob and Matt's classmates!

The children sat on piles of leaves. Inside the big tent the bridal party gathered.
Pastor looked down on the bride and groom with Matt between them and flanked on the groom's side was Jacob
and his policeman Dad ... and beside the bride stood Grandma, Margaret, Dee Dee and baby LaTricia.
Joyce wore Grandma's wedding dress and Marine Mike was in full dress uniform.

"Who gives this woman to this man in marriage," inquired the Pastor.
Grandma put her arm around Joyce. "This woman has chosen to give herself
and does so with the love and support of her family."
Jacob added, "Amen!" And all the children echoed him!

With the pronouncement of "now husband and wife", Mike scooped up Matt
and placed him on his shoulders and the two kissed the bride together!

The children blew bubbles while running all around the tent.
And through all the din, one little girl stood with hands on hips
and shouted, "When do we get cake?"



Matt didn't go on the honeymoon.
And each weekend the screen door slammed not once but twice
because Matt and Jacob were always going to be with Grandma.

The three were gathered at the kitchen table together with Dee Dee and LaTricia.
Dee Dee, dipped her finger in the frosting and placed just a tiny bit on LaTricia's lips.
"Oh, don't worry. It's peanut butter icing!"
Giggles from all and a burp from LaTricia. It's what families do.

© Connie Good
November 6, 2005


You can have your cake
and eat it, too!
Frosting with love
is family glue!
"Grandma"

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