Gran was packed off by the whole family
Packing Gran off was a family affair. Without hesitation, they told her quite openly how tired they were of her. They spoke about how spring had finally arrived, and now she would be off to the countryside until late autumn. The grandchildren were indifferent to her, her daughter-in-law rather disliked her. Her son was always away on business trips. When he did visit, he was no kinder than the rest of the family.
Gran realised she was a burden to them. She understood everything, and endured the discomfort with all the strength she could muster, waiting for spring every year as if it were her true salvation. Her hope. Her promise.
Spring came early that year. Gran often sat outside the block of flats, soaking up the warm sunshine and admiring the bright English skies. She looked frail, dressed in shabby old clothes that had seen many years, worn out boots protected by a pair of rubber overshoes.
Though her own familys affection ran cold, the neighbours treated her kindly. They never failed to greet her, ask after her health, and help her up the stairs to her fifth-floor flat. The boys from next door even carried her shopping bag when they passed her on their way home from school, spotting her coming back from the grocer.
Despite her age, Gran always busied herself with houseworkcooking, washing, cleaning. These were her duties. Her daughter-in-law barely took part in anything domestic.
Youre at home all day, so you might as well do it all, she would say bluntly, tossing her shoes in the hallway as she returned from work.
Her grandchildren never spoke to her. Whenever they invited friends over, Gran stayed quietly in her room because, years ago, one of them told her that her appearance embarrassed them.
Gran never argued with anyone. She was mostly silent. In the evenings, when everyone was asleep, she would quietly cry in her small room about her lot in life.
On the day she was sent off, they ordered a taxi to the railway station so they wouldnt have to take her by bus. She carried little: an old bag and a small bundle of worn clothes.
Leaning on her old walking stick, she slowly shuffled along the platform, stopping by a bench to rest. Soon the train arrived, and she boarded. Looking through the window, her gaze was warm and gentle. As the train began to move, Gran took out a crumpled photograph from her bag. Her son, grandchildren, and daughter-in-law smiled up at her from the picture. Lately, this was the only place she saw their smiles. She kissed the photograph and carefully tucked it away in her bag.
Getting off at the station, she gently wandered towards the village. Someone kindly gave her a lift almost all the way to her cottage. She opened the garden gate and made her way along the muddy path to her old house. Here, everything was familiar. Here, she felt needed, even if only by the crooked fence, the sagging porch, and the worn walls. Here, she was awaited.
The village meant everything to Gran. It was where shed been born, where her children took their first steps, and where her husband had passed away. Shed spent nearly half her life here, and even mourned her eldest son, who hadnt lived to see today.
Gran opened the shutters on the windows and lit the stove. Sitting on the bench by the window, she drifted into thought. Her children, once upon a time, had sat there. Theyd eaten at the old table, slept in those beds, scrambled across that floor, and looked through the same windows. Echoes of their childhood laughter rang in her ears. Back then, she was Mum. The one they needed most. The closest and dearest.
The sun shone in just as it always had, lighting up another springone among many filled with joy and worry. All lived inside these walls. Gran smiled, greeting the gentle village spring…
***
She did not wake up the next morning, remaining forever in her home soil. On the table lay a pile of faded old photographs, and one recentbut crumpledthe one from which her family had smiled at her just yesterday.
While were alive, theres so much we can still do: ask for forgiveness, offer thanks, admit love. Life is too precious to put off these things for another day. When someone goes, they never return, and heavy stones settle in our hearts that are difficult to bear.
We must live with trust and honesty, and share kindness from within ourselves. Truly love, wait, cherish the feelings of others, and remember those who gave us life and helped us stand tall.
