Sarai had a lot of fond memories of her Grandma Addeline. Grandma used to love to bake. Sarai was her “special helper”. Pies, cookies, cakes, Grandma Addeline made it all. They would talk for hours about God, school, and life in general. Whenever Sarai was feeling sad, Grandma Addeline always made her feel better.
Sarai was 8 years-old in 2020. A viral pandemic had swept across much of the world, leaving devastation in its path. . Sarai didn’t really understand a lot of it. She knew that a lot of people were getting sick and that Grandma Addeline did a lot to help. She made meals, sowed face masks, and called people she knew on the phone to check up on them and ask them how they were doing. That’s just how Grandma Addeline always was.
One day, Sarai bounded into Grandma Addeline’s house, but the kitchen was empty. “That’s weird”, Sarai said aloud. She wandered into the living room and saw Grandma Addeline sitting on the couch. Her chest was heaving rapidly and her breathing was labored. “Grandma, are you okay?” Sarai said worriedly. “I’m fine, baby, just a little tired” Grandma said. “Sarai, I want to show you something.” Grandma Addeline reached over to a small stand and picked up a small, brass bell. “Sarai, I want you to have this. Whenever you’re sad, and you can’t talk to me, I want you to ring this bell and I’ll be with you.” Sarai took the bell, but a puzzled expression crossed her face. “Grandma, you’ll always be with me” she said firmly. Grandma Addeline didn’t say anything, but gave a broad, tired smile.
Two days later, Sarai’s mom sat down with her and explained that Grandma Addeline was sick in the hospital. “I want to see her!” Sarai exclaimed. “We can’t, sweetheart”, her mother said, “Grandma….has the virus and no one is allowed to go in to see her”. Sarai stormed off to her room and slammed the door. She didn’t understand why some stupid virus made it so she couldn’t see Grandma Addeline.
That week was the hardest of Sarai’s life. Early one morning, mom woke Sarai, sat down on her bed, and told her gently that Grandma Addeline had gone home to be with God. Sarai never cried so much in her life. She was sadder than she’d ever been. Her best friend in the whole world was gone.
Three months passed. Sarai had returned to virtual school. It just wasn’t the same without Grandma Addeline. They couldn’t talk about the day. Grandma used to listen for what seemed like hours. How Sarai missed that, missed the little smile Grandma would get from time to time when they’d talk. Sarai thought she would never be whole again.
One afternoon, just days before Christmas, Sarai overheard her mother saying a neighbor had lost their entire home in a fire. A girl Sarai’s own age had lost everything she owned. Sarai sighed and threw herself on the couch. As she glanced over to the mantle, she saw the small, brass bell Grandma Addeline had given her. Sarai stood up slowly, walked over to the mantle, and gazed at the bell. She gave it a small shake. The bell rang clearly. Sarai blinked back tears and a tiny smile began to cross her face. “Mom”, she yelled suddenly, “Can I talk to you?”
The rest of that day, Sarai and her family were busy making phone calls. She hadn’t been this happy in months. At the most random times, Sarai would pick up Grandma Addeline’s bell and give it a shake. Then, she would laugh, tears streaming down her face as she listened to the happy peal. Grandma Addeline may have gone to be with Jesus, but Sarai was going to give her the best Christmas present ever.
On Christmas Eve, Sarai and her family knocked on the door of where the poor family who had lost their home was staying. With broad smiles, they began to unload food, clothing, and even some toys for the little girl, whom Sarai learned was name Sophie. As they sat playing, Sarai pulled out her brass bell and told Sophie all about Grandma Addeline. When she had finished, Sophie, who had been staring at her, blinked and asked, “Aren’t you terribly sad? Don’t you miss her?” Sarai smiled, her biggest, brightest smile in months. “Yes, I do miss her”, she said, “But Grandma Addeline told me to ring this bell when I feel sad and when I miss her” Sarai rang the bell gently. “I knew Grandma would be here tonight and I feel her with me now.” Sarai placed the bell carefully back into her pocket. “Come on, Sophie!” she exclaimed, “We brought a ham and I think it’s almost done!”
The End
Fantasy