GRANDMA'S LOVE
One night, just as Annie was drifting off to sleep, her mother came into her room and sat down beside her. Gently brushing back Annie's hair, she said, "Annie, Grandma has gone to heaven."
Annie knew that Grandma was very old. They had talked about how some day she would be happy in heaven with Grandpa, but still, she was going to miss her so much. She wished with all her heart that she could hug Grandma just one more time. As Annie's mother watched a small tear drop from Annie's eye, she tried to comfort her. She reminded her that Grandma had placed her special treasures in the attic and that someday, they would be hers. Annie smiled sadly, treasures were wonderful, but what she really wanted was to feel her Grandma's love again. She always felt so special when Grandma said she was her "Little Angel".
ate that night, Annie awoke to a strange and beautiful sound coming from the attic. There was tinkling laughter, sweet singing and the soft rustling sound like Grandma's dresses used to make. Annie crept from her bed and climbed the stairs to the attic where she could see the glow of light from the partially open door. Quietly she peeked past the edge of the door. Oh! There were angels: two tiny, little angels with glittering gold wings, and a beautiful angel with wings of sparkling white feathers! Annie was so excited she giggled with delight. All of a sudden the angel with the beautiful feathered wings turned and saw her. "Well, Hello Annie."
Annie did not know what to do; she had never spoken to an angel before.
"Don't be frightened Annie. I am Gabrielle, your Guardian Angel. Since it appears that my tiny little friends have awakened you, why don't you come in while they finish their work"?
She is the most beautiful sight I have ever seen, thought Annie. I feel as if I have known her all my life.
Smiling at Annie, Gabrielle said, "Yes, Annie, you have known me all your life. I have been your Guardian Angel since before you were born, when you were still the twinkle in your father's eye."
"But why are you here now?" asked Annie.
"Well" said Gabrielle, "it is very unusual, but your Grandmother asked that we prepare a gift for you from her treasures in the attic, to remind you that even though she is in heaven, she is with you wherever you go. That is what my little friends were doing when they awakened you with their laughter. Let me introduce you. This is Twinkle. She is called Twinkle because wherever she goes; she leaves a trail of stardust. When you look into the sky on a clear, clear evening and see the stars sparkling, you know Twinkle has been at work! And this tinkling little angel is Jingle. Some say that he got into mischief so often that the archangel tied a bell on him to warn everyone that Jingle was nearby!"
Annie laughed as she watched Twinkle and Jingle dashing here and there, singing lullabies as they gathered Grandma's treasures… lace from the dress that Grandma wore to Mommy and Daddy's wedding, ribbons that Grandpa had given to her when they were young and gold cord from her sewing basket. Shyly touching Gabrielle's soft white feathered wing, Annie sighed.
"Is something wrong child?" asked Gabrielle.
"Will I ever see my Grandma again?" said Annie.
"One day when you are both in heaven" answered Gabrielle. "But she will always be with you. And when you grow up and have your little girl, she will become your daughter's Guardian Angel, just as I became yours".
Annie thought about that. "You were my Mommy's Grandma!" she exclaimed. Gabrielle smiled and nodded her head. "And now, it appears that Twinkle and Jingle have finished their work." As Gabrielle placed the doll that the angels had made into Annie's arms, she said, "Here is your Grandmother's gift to you. Each time you hold her close to your heart, you will feel your grandmother's love."
"Oh, thank you. She is so beautiful. I shall call her "Grandma's Love". With a contented sigh, Annie closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. Gabrielle, with the help of Twinkle and Jingle, carried Annie back to her bed and tucked her in with "Grandma's Love".
The next morning, Annie's mother looked into her room and was relieved to see Annie sleeping peacefully. Snuggled in her arms was a precious doll. As Annie opened her eyes and smiled at her mother, she told her about the angels in the attic during the night.
"Annie, you must have been dreaming dear", her mother said.
"Oh No, Mommy, Grandma sent the angels. She told them to make a gift for me from her treasures in the attic.
Her mother was mystified. Where could that doll have come from? And then, she saw something… clutched in the doll's hand, a beautiful sparkling white feather and she knew… Annie was right! Grandma had sent the angels and they had made a gift for her, someone special to love… her very own angel!
courtesy of Odette
