Tag: #life

Dream

( Intermediate level )

Jenny grew up in a small town in Iowa. She had lived with her grandparents from the age of four. Now, at 15 years old, Jenny wondered about her future. She dreamt of her future. Was she ever to get out of this little town?

The odds were against her. Her grandparents lived a modest farming life. As most farmers, they struggled from year to year. Barely making enough to pay the bills and having enough left, to tide them over, until the next planting season.

Her mother, Amy, was a struggling young and unwed teenager herself, when Jenny was born. Living in a small conservative community, she was met with much disapproval.

After Jenny was born, Amy left her small town to get a fresh start. Leaving the disappointment of her parents and community behind her. She knew her daughter would be just fine in her parents’ care.

One day, she hoped to return to reunite with Jenny. Hoping she understood why she had to leave her with her grandparents.

As for Jenny, she had her own struggles. Going to school took great effort. For most of her middle school and now in her high school years, Jenny was bullied.

Her grandparents did the best they could in raising her, but the extras they could not afford. They bought her clothes from the second hand store, in the center of town, or relied on donations from families, when their children had outgrown them.

Wearing second hand clothes never really bothered Jenny until she was made fun of one day in class in fifth grade. One of her classmates laughed and pointed at her saying that the dress used to be hers. She had recognized the stain on the collar and proceeded to say how that stain happened.

From that day forward, Jenny was the target for her classmates. Taking every chance they could to point out what she was wearing and whose clothes they might have belonged to.

Jenny would keep to herself, both at school and at home. She would spend hours in her small bedroom, just dreaming. Wishing things could be different.

Every Sunday, Jenny would help her grandfather with his daily farming chores. She helped tend to the animals, mend fencing and even helped in the fields.

She spent many hours with him and listened to his stories. Some were true and some, she knew, he made up just to see her reaction.

He asked her, one day, why she was spending so much time, alone and not out with friends. She, reluctantly, told him why. Jenny knew her grandparents worked very hard and were proud of what they have. She did not want to hurt his feelings but she told her story.

Her grandfather stood quiet for, what seemed to be forever, then looked down at her, smiled and said, “My dear Jenny, when people are unhappy ,with their own lives, they lash out at others. You showed a reaction, by visibly getting upset. This is what they look for. Somehow, they feel better about themselves when they make another miserable. Next time, try not to show them how upset or embarrassed you are. They will soon become bored and find the next person to intimidate.”

Jenny hugged her grandfather for understanding. He, always, knew the right words to say.

That evening, Jenny thought about her grandfather’s words. Wondering if it would make a difference. She knew how mean her classmates could be.

Summer vacation is coming soon. Another month to go and school would be out for three months. Jenny knew this last month would be long. She had to study for her finals and face her classmates.

Jenny realized this was the process of growing up. Finding yourself. Realizing what matters in life. She was not going to let others damper her dreams.

Since she had grown up around animals, she wanted to be a veterinarian. She needed to achieve the best grades she could.

With her grandparents not having a lot of money, she needed to get a scholarship to a university. This was her dream and she wanted to make it come true. No one would take away from her.

One thing she knew, be happy for what you have and not what you don’t have. Why should the opinions of others matter? Why do we need acceptance, from people, to be happy?

Jenny had loving grandparents, a warm, cozy home, and food to eat. It doesn’t matter what others think as long as you are happy and loved.

Written by: Angel

If you appreciate what I do:

https://ko-fi.com/morningangel84721345

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Twitter: AngelOfTheMorn5

Vocabulary:

wonder: curious

dream: images, thoughts

modest: one’s abilities, achievements, limited or small

conservative:  traditional values

disapproval: unfavorable opinion

struggle: restraint

effort: attempt

bully: a person who harms or intimidates those who are vulnerable

second-hand: already been owned or used

target: aim of an attack

chores: a routine task or job

reluctant: hesitant

miserable: unhappy or uncomfortable

embarrassed: shame

intimidate: to make someone feel timid or fearful using words or actions

damper: influencing in a negative way

disappointment: sadness over an action

Question ( s ):

Have you ever been bullied or bullied another?

Do you think bullying is a real concern?

What advise would you give someone if they told you they were being bullied?

Grandma Lucy

( Intermediate level )

After 47 years of marriage, Lucy found herself, looking out at the pier, alone. Her husband, Bill, had just passed away the month before.

He had struggled with his health for many years. Finally, his body was too tired to fight any longer.

She remembered his last words to her, as he lay in the hospital bed with his life leaving his body, “Be happy, my love, for I will be, forever, with you.” He always had a poetic way with his words.

After his passing, Lucy found herself not wanting to eat nor get dressed. Her life companion was gone. Her home felt empty. She felt empty.

They had two wonderful sons together. One was a physician in New York and the other was a software engineer in Texas. Each begged her to come live with them, after Bill had passed, but she refused.

She did not want to leave the house that Bill had built for them. She knew she would not be happy in a city. Cities were too busy and too noisy.

She loved hearing the birds sing in the morning. The breeze rustle through the trees and the frogs croaking. The quiet and simple life was what she wanted.

She had wonderful neighbors who would check on her often. Sometimes, having a casserole, saying they had extras. She knew they were making sure she was eating.

Most of the children in the community called her Grandma Lucy. They, too, would knock on her door and have wild flowers in hand, as a gift, for her.

She would head into town, once a month, to grocery shop while her husband fished. She would spend a short time at the park, before she shopped, watching the children play. Sometimes having a few sweets in her pocket to give to the children.

Lucy knew she had to be strong if she was to keep the house and stay alone. She needed to get back to normalcy. Somehow, she needed to find the courage. Each night Lucy would say to herself , “Tomorrow will be the day.”

The day had finally come. The day where she felt she had the strength to face life alone. Lucy woke up with the sun shining through the window. She looked out at the trees and noticed the leaves were beginning to change their colors.

Summer was coming to an end. Winter would be coming soon and things had to be done before the cold weather set in.

She got up and headed to the kitchen. Put the coffee on to brew and headed to the shower. By the time she was done with her shower the coffee was done.

She poured a cup of coffee and walked slowly outside. She found herself walking towards the pier. She had so many memories there.

She remembered watching her husband fish. He was always proud of every fish he caught. No matter how big or how small, he would tell a story of his struggle to land the fish.

She paused, for a moment, and looked out at the sunrise. What a magnificent view. She inhaled and sighed.

She remembered how Bill loved to wake her up and drag her outside to watch the sunrise. He would say, “Today will be a wonderful day!”

As she watched the sun rise higher, kissing the sky, she felt the warmth of the sun touch her cheek. She put her hand to her cheek and she whispered, “Oh Bill. I knew you will always be here with me. Thank you for loving me. I will be ok. I love you.”

She turned and headed back down the pier to her home. Feeling a calmness now, she was ready to start the next chapter in her life. She knew, now, she had found the courage.

She dressed, put on a sweater and put a few sweets in her pocket and headed to town to buy a few groceries.

Written by: Angel

If you appreciate what I do:

https://ko-fi.com/morningangel84721345

Follow me on:

Instagram: morningangel847

Twitter: AngelOfTheMorn5

Vocabulary:

pier: a platform leading out from the shore into a body of water

passed away: polite expression for die

physician: doctor

casserole: oven baked, all in one meal, usually containing meat, vegetables and potatoes.

community: group of people living in the same place

normalcy: being normal

courage: the ability to do something that scares or upsets you

brew: make coffee with hot water.

whisper: speak very softly

calmness: feeling calm, no worries or problems

Question( s ):

How do you feel about Lucy’s choice to stay and not move in with her son(s)?

Would you be able to find courage?