Grandad Wisdom!
By: Jean Boonstra
It’s inventory day and Jamey has been busy in Trekkers all day! Jamey and the others counted everything in the store—it was a big job! Jamey’s been busy, but is she avoiding something?
“..16, 17, 18. There, that’s the last piece of candy,” said Jake as he sealed the lid on the candy bin.
“Whew,” said Jamey, sitting down in a heap. “I never want to see another piece of candy again!”
Jake laughed as we reached for the door of Trekkers. “I’m going home to take the longest nap known to man! Bye Jamey.”
“Bye Jake,” Jamey called out. She looked around the store for her dog. “Come here, Gadget! It’s time to go home, boy!”
“Don’t leave just yet,” called out Mr. Simon from behind the counter.
Gadget ran up beside Jamey wagging his tail happily. “OK I won’t leave yet Grandad,” Jamey answered.
Mr. Simon slid a chair towards Jamey motioning for her to sit down. He sat down across from her. With his eyebrows crinkled with concern said, “Jamey we haven’t talked about your dad leaving.”
“No, but…” Jamey started to answer, but Mr. Simon kept talking.
“Jamey, I’m sad that your dad—my son—is leaving again tomorrow. He’s going back to serve overseas as a Chaplain and I won’t see him for another whole year.”
“Yes, I know,” Jamey answered, the sadness creeping into her voice.
“Jamey,” Mr. Simon added, “I know you’re going to miss him too.”
Jamey thought for a moment before answering. “Gadget, mom and I are going to be OK. We’re used to dad serving overseas. We’ll be fine.”
Mr. Simon reached over and placed his hand on his granddaughter’s. “Jamey, it’s OK to admit that you’ll miss him.”
“I, uh, I just don’t want to think about it too much, Grandad.” Jamey said her voice quivering.
“Is that why you spent your dad’s last day home with me here at Trekkers doing inventory?” Mr. Simon asked.
Jamey nodded slowly. “Yes,” she said “I just love him so much and when I’m with him it makes me realize how much I’m going to miss him.”
Mr. Simon stood up suddenly. “Jamey, you should go home and talk to your dad. Tell him how you feel and enjoy the last few hours with him before he leaves.”
Jamey stood up, but she wasn’t convinced yet that her Grandad’s advice was right. “I just, I’m going to…”
Mr. Simon interrupted, “you’re going to miss him. I know! But he’s still here now. Run home and spend time with him.”
Gadget barked approvingly.
Jamey smiled. “Alright, I’ll go!” she said with a smile. “Thanks Grandad. Thanks for your advice.”
“That’s what I’m here for,” Mr. Simon answered with a smile. “I’m your source for a little Grandad wisdom.”
Are you thankful for a dad or granddad in your life? June is the perfect month to tell them how much you care! Remember Father’s Day is on June 17th!
Listen to the rest of Jamey’s inventory day on Season 3 and the episode called, “Turning Over A New Leaf”.
