A little catchup

Dear Grandma,

It's been years since I wrote you!  The twins are 18 today and Stephie turned 21 last month.  Things haven't changed much since the last time I wrote.  Mom moved out of the house on Oak and into an apartment complex on the upper side of the lower end of town.  Just realized that this is the part of town that wasn't good enough for us when we were growing up.  She still has nothing to do with me, but is courteous if we run into each other.  She likewise knows none of her grandchildren nor great-grandchildren.  But that's her loss and no one seems to have suffered from her lack of attention.  With the emotional and nervousness that Grace and I both continue to suffer with, I have no doubt, they are much better away from her meanness.  At 81 and almost 40 years since she kicked me out of the house because I was pregnant with Shawn, I believe it's too late for her to change.  I can't imagine that there is a place in heaven for her, but that is not up to me to determine.  I do communicate with Grace, but I'm not sure she has changed much.  She still seems self center and short tempered.  I am very much afraid of her, but God gets me through each interaction.  She has been sober for 3 years now.  She and Wayne are divorced.  She blames it on an abnormality that he was born with.  But as she was drinking all the time when the break came, I can't help but feel it was more her drunken temperamental state of being that caused the breakup.  More unfortunately, she is so much like Mom that she doesn't know how to accept blame or responsibility for the bad things in her life.  Someone else is always at fault.  Afton won't have anything to do with her and that is breaking her heart.  Well Afton nor Wayne will have anything to do with anyone in the family (including his) any longer.  It does appear that Afton is doing well for herself.  She has her photography business and does beautiful work!  Well, I stay busy and have to run take care of business.  Love you always my angel in heaven!

Dear Grandma, We just got back from vacation. Didn't go far...just up to Ararat, NC. We did the Andy Griffith sites, visited SciWorks and the NC Zoo. Had a great time camping and swimming at the Homeplace. The twins leave for camp tomorrow. I hope they have a great time. Stevie will be doing horseback, exploratory and archery. Sammie is into games and gymnastics. For a little girl whom I thought would never be able to walk she's pretty amazing. Stephie will follow in a couple of weeks and will be into exploratory, geo caching and christian drama. She was amazing in midsummer night's dream this past semester. She loves her Shakespeare plays! Guess I need to get back to work. My well being is not much different. Just realized that outside of my family here, only two cousins have anything to do with me. Pretty sad. I don't know if I will ever live long enough to know what my evilness is. I am still filled with great sadness over the letter and how the family has and is treating me. Well, I still get to emotional to talk about it. I'm back to work! Love, Me

Dear Grandma: Wow! It's actually been almost 4 years since I wrote you that story. The last story and almost the last thing I have written in a long time. I am getting better. I was able to read some of the items that I have in the "bad" folder. I did not get torn all too pieces, only the dull ache was a little sharper and the tears...not as bad as in the past. It took me a couple of days to get where I could write you again. I am trying very hard to reach back out to the friends that have stood faithfully by me. And don't even realize what I have gone through, since I never let them know. Oh well, I need to get back to work. I will write your story here soon. Love, Me

2006

Dear Grandma, It's been three long years. I'll never forget that night when I called you and the first thing you said is "Susan, I've lost my marbles!" I laughed and said "Oh, Grandma, you're just a bit forgetful sometimes, but I wish my mind was half as sharp as yours. Well, who would have thought that the story I wrote after our conversation would spark Gracie's jealousy so very much that she would be compelled to write me the most hateful letter I have ever received. Well, the twins are here now, so I must take care of them. Will write later...Love, Me