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Topic: START (02/25/16)
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TITLE: The Trouble With Millie | Previous Challenge Entry
By Sherry Brock
03/02/16 -
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Head in my hand I mumbled under my breath, “sure.” It was six o’clock in the morning, for goodness sake, how could she be so chipper?
The scrape of metal against wood cut the silence, as Pa pushed back his chair, and reached for his work boots. “Listen to your grandma Millie, 'cause she’s been reading that Bible every morning for fifty-two years.”
“Every morning…as in every single day?” I said, looking up at him in disbelief.
“Yep, every single day since the day we were married.” Shoes tied, he glided over to Grammy, turning her to place a peck on her cheek. “No one leaves the breakfast table ‘till at least one chapter is read.”
“Oh, Tom,” Grammy smirked. “You make it sound like I forced you to sit there all these years and take in the Lord’s words.” She wiggled out of his grasp and playfully flipped her dish towel at him. “Don’t let him fool you Millie, he forgot to tell you that when your daddy was born, he read me that Bible every morning for two weeks, while I nursed.”
Seeing their affection for each other not only causes me to smile, but takes my mind off my own problems. This is a far cry from the way my mornings normally unfold.
Lately fights with Mom and Dad start most of my days. I just want to be a normal teenager, you know? I just want to be with my friends; why so many rules? So what if my staying out late getting a little “baked” with my friends interferes with school. I know I'm in real trouble due to the drug suspension, but that wasn't really my fault. Anyway, getting a three day break is not really a punishment as far as I'm concerned. Shipping me here to stay with Grammy and Pa isn't so bad either, but taking my phone away, now that's what really hurt.
“Millie,” Grammy says, bent down looking directly into my eyes. “Are you listening girl? What in the world has gotten into you lately?” It was more of a statement than a question really, and I could see a tinge of disappointment in her eyes.
“I'm sorry Gram. I'm just not awake yet, I guess.”
Her eyes soften as she says, “Girl, your not the first one in trouble in this family. Shoot, I was in trouble with my Maw from the time I was fourteen until I met and married your Pa. Don't tell anyone else, but I did some things back then I'm not real proud of.”
“You...in trouble? No way!” I gleefully shrieked. “Your the best person I know, Grammy.”
“Don't make the same mistakes I made, Millie,” she said, as her eyes moistened just enough to show me she wasn't kidding. “I lost my best friend and almost lost your Pa because of my recklessness and wild ways. Your Pa is a Godly man. By God's grace, he did not give up on me during that terrible time and lovingly forced me to see who I could be in Christ. Only Jesus can change your heart, baby girl.”
“I know Jesus.” I said, looking her right in the eye now, “and what do you mean you lost your best friend?”
“Oh, honey. Talking about this is hard, but I was drunk at a party, and my best friend Lela and I rode home with a sober friend. We were laughing, and carrying on; hanging all over that boy. We were just jokin', but I got carried away, grabbed the steering wheel, and gave it a jerk. Oh, Millie! Lela died that night because of me. A lot of people gave up on me, but not your Pa, and not Jesus. Your Pa helped me understand I have hope and forgiveness through Jesus, and eventually, I was able to forgive myself. I don't want you to have those kind of regrets, baby girl.”
“Oh, Gram,” I said, wrapping her in a hug.
“Begin each day with the Lord, Millie. Psalm 119:147 says 'I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.' Will you just try?”
I nod in agreement, and, for the first time in long while, I am excited about waking up tomorrow.
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I liked the interaction between Millie and her Grammy. It's a great message.