VOTING HAS ENDED . . . VOTING HAS ENDED . . . VOTING HAS ENDED
Because there were only six story entries in the Grandparent’s Day writing contest, I am announcing our six finalists and voting will start early. However, voting will remain open until the time originally stated in the contest rules – Friday, August 30 at 11:59 PM CDT. Winners will still be announced on Saturday, August 31 by 11:59 PM CDT.
All you have to do is read the six stories, note the number of the story that you like best, and vote on the poll at the bottom of this page. If you would like to read more about the contest or learn about the prizes go to WRITING CONTEST IN HONOR OF GRANDPARENT’S DAY.
The contest inspired all kinds of long-distance love stories: Love across technology, heavenly love, old memories love, across the ocean love, funny love, and runaway love, What a variety of touching and fun writing. I am so happy that the contest helped encourage these writers to tell their stories.
The stories or links to stories are listed below.
Thanks to everyone for participating, and best of luck to the finalists.
STORY # 1
Where’s My Grammy?
by Sally Phillips
Emma spent her summers visiting Grams wonderful bakery. It was always filled with Emma’s favorite goodies. There were ooey-gooey chocolate frosted donuts and chewy soft pretzels. Baking marble rye breads and fruity pies of very kind kept Grams busy.
One day, Grams said, “Let’s make gingerbread cookies.”
Emma clapped her hands, “Let’s make Grammy cookies! That way when I go, I’ll have cookies to remember our visit.” Molly barked her approval.
Grams mixed the spicy dough and rolled it out. She cut a grammy shape. Emma added raisins and a tiny cherry for her nose. Grams drew a smile into the dough and popped it into the oven.
After baking, Grams put it on the counter to cool. “Just a few extra touches,” said Grams pulling out a bag of red licorice. Emma added it for her grammy’s hair with icing to tack it down. Grams used icing to draw a sweatband and racing shoes.
“That’s just like you Grams,” said Emma pointing to a picture.
“That’s when I won the long distance race last year,” said Grams smiling.
Then, quick as a flash the cookie disappeared from the counter. The screen door slammed like a 4th of July firecracker.
“Oh, no said Grams, I should have never added those racing shoes. The Grammy cookie has run off!”
Grams and Emma were out the door in a flash. “I see something brown running down the road,” said Emma.
Chasing after her grammy gingerbread cookie, Emma soon came across a police officer. “What’s going on?” asked Officer Jane.
“My Grammy cookie is running away,” said Emma catching her breath.
Officer Jane saw Grams running down the road. “I’ll call for back up. Well get your Grammy back,” she called to Emma. Officer Jane ran down the road.
Emma passed a field full of soccer players. “What’s going on?” the team captain asked.
My Grammy cookie is running away,” called Emma.
“We’ll get her, come on boys,” he said. All the players ran down the road too.
Emma heard a whirling sound overhead. It was a TV helicopter. “We heard on our radio that your Grammy from the bakery is missing,” the reporter said. “Well fly around and find her.”
“No wait,” Emma said. “My Grammy cookie ran off, not my Grams!” But they had already flown away.
At the end of the road, the TV crew was recording all the action. “And here’s the girl with her missing Grammy.”
“I wasn’t missing,” said Grams. “We were chasing Emma’s grammy gingerbread cookie!”
Molly appeared out of the bushes. She had gingerbread crumbs around her mouth. Molly’s nose had a red cherry on it.
“You ate the cookie?” said Emma.
“And so we have it, a happy ending after all,” said the reporter. “News at 9”.
Emma said, “Let’s record the news tonight Grams. When we feel sad about being apart, we can watch our adventure all over again.”
“That’s better than a cookie,” Grams said laughing and gave Emma a big hug.
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STORY # 2
An Ocean Apart,
Near by Heart
by Maria A. Velardocchia
Brrrring! The phone rang right on time! When Antoinette’s daddy nodded ‘OK’, she answered the phone before it could ring a second time. Antoinette was so excited! She knew the phone call was from Pappou, her grandfather in Greece. On the first day of each month, at 8:00 in the morning, either Pappou called Antoinette’s house, or Antoinette’s daddy called Pappou. They took turns, and this month it was Pappou’s turn to call.
“Hi, Pappou!” Antoinette said, with a smile in her voice.
“Hello, my Antonia,” said Pappou. Pappou liked to call Antoinette by her Greek name. “Tell me how you are and what you’ve been doing, so I can hear your beautiful voice.”
“Oh, Pappou, we’re all doing well here in Florida. The weather is so nice and mommy and daddy have been taking me to the beach a lot. Daddy says it reminds him of when he was a little boy in Greece and you used to take him to the beach in the summer.”
“Yes, Antonia, your daddy is right. We would pack our lunch and go to the beach every day. It was your daddy’s favorite place to go,” Pappou said in a voice that sounded like he was remembering.
“Pappou, did daddy like to find shells on the beach?” Antoinette asked.
“Find shells, you ask? He sure did. Not only shells, but here in Greece we have beautiful little pebbles on our beaches. They are smooth and colorful, and your daddy loved to bring a favorite one home each day,” answered Pappou.
“He did?” asked Antoinette. I like to collect rocks. I guess that’s another way we’re alike!”
“Yes,” Pappou said. “Antonia, you remind me very much of your daddy when he was eight years old like you.”
“I know what, Pappou!” exclaimed Antoinette. “When we go to the beach today, I’m going to have daddy take a picture of me holding some shells. Then, when I write you my letter, we’ll send you the picture so you can see me at the beach!”
“Oh, Antonia, what a good idea!” said Pappou. “I can’t wait to get the picture! And do you know what I’m going to do? I’m going to find a picture of your daddy and me at the beach, many years ago, and I’m going to send it to you!”
“Hooray, pappou! I’m so excited! I’m going to get ready for the beach now while daddy talks to you. I love you, Pappou,” said Antoinette.
“I love you, too, Antonia,” said Pappou.
Two weeks later they got a letter from Pappou! Daddy carefully opened the envelope. There was a letter for daddy and mommy, and a letter for Antoinette. Tucked inside Antoinette’s letter was a picture of Pappou and her daddy at the beach. She loved the picture! As Antoinette went to bed that night, she held the picture close to her heart and dreamt of the day she would visit Pappou in Greece.
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STORY # 3
Grandma, Can You Guess How Special You Are?
by Kristina (Senese) Johnson
Grandma, can you guess how special you are?
This is my story and now you are the STAR!
When you are here or when you are there
You can count all the clues of the times that we share.
Clue number ONE is the first to let you know
It’s something you do from my head down to my toes.
Lots of smooches and big hugs that are so tight
I love to cuddle when you tuck me in at night.
Moving on to the next clue that is number TWO
In counting with numbers that is what you do.
Sitting at my house and watching me play
Us taking a nap together after a long hard day.
Using my fingers counting to clue number THREE
This you do in the kitchen and it makes me hungry!
Lots of baking and tasting so many delicious treats
Sitting next to me at the table when it is time to eat!
Clue number FOUR is a clue that I adore
But don’t you worry there are so many more.
You and I get to giggle and talk on the phone
The sound of your voice has such a friendly tone.
Next it’s time to count to the clue that is number FIVE
This is what you and I do as soon as you arrive.
I like when you play games with me like hide and seek
Grandma, do those glasses really help you to peek?
Using both hands to count to clue number SIX
This is a clue like the others that is easy to pick.
Your laugh is jolly with a rosy cheek on each side
You light up a room with your smiling eyes.
Bunny ears on one hand makes this clue number SEVEN
Another clue that shows how you are a loving person!
Really smart and funny, so soft and so gentle
Grandma, you don’t complain when I’m a lot to handle!
Wiggling my fingers to count to clue number EIGHT
All have been good, but this clue is sure great!
You are my Grandma forever and for always
How happy I am when you tell me all of your stories!
What can I say about clue number NINE
Just like apple pie Grandma, you are so devine!
When you are here or when you are there
I think of you always and how we are a pair.
The last clue is important it is clue number TEN
It is hard for me to say to you so carefully listen
My special grandma, I love when you are near
I don’t like to say “goodbye,” it brings me to tears.
Now that you have counted all the ways you are a STAR
Grandma, have you guessed how special you are?
One day when I am older and a much bigger me,
The memories of us Grandma, how special they will be!
I LOVE YOU GRANDMA!
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STORY # 4
Helen Velikans’s story “I Hate Grandparent’s Day” can be read on her blog.
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STORY # 5
Donna Sadd’s story “Vacation Sport” can be read on her blog.
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STORY # 6
Linda Schueler’s story “Messages” can be read on her blog.
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Lucky for Sophie and Chloe, Grandma Tillie knows how to royally entertain her grandchildren. To their delight, whenever Grandma Tillie babysits, she seems to disappear, only to be replaced by a parade of lovable characters. There’s Tillie Vanilly with the bright pink hair, star of The Tillie Vanilly Show, who loves to tell jokes and dance the conga; Chef Silly Tillie with the lampshade hat who offers up a dinner of Worm Chili with Glue Gravy; and Madame Frilly Tillie with the sparkly eyeglasses and towel turban, the world’s most creative bath-bubble stylist. Sophie and Chloe wonder who will appear to tuck them into bed: Hiker Hilly Tillie, Explorer Chilly Tillie, or Zoo-lady Gorilly Tillie? To their surprise, it’s the best character of all—just plain Grandma Tillie. Available at Amazon.com.
Alayne Kay Christian 