A Small Grievance

Dear grandma,

I had thought we had a deal. If not a deal, then at least an understanding. You had told me that you would stay with us until I was married and had a baby. I got married, but I thought I still had you on the hook for the second part. I wasn't ready yet. I wasn't ready to have a baby, and I wasn't ready for you to leave. I guess you caught on to my game and called my bluff...but I heard you'd bought fabric to make me a baby blanket. I haven't found it yet, but I will. I'm pretty good with a needle, if I know what direction to head. I wish you were here to give it to the kid yourself, whenever we decide to have one. Thank you for thinking ahead and leaving a part of you for a future part of me. I love you.

Love always,
your granddaughter

A Belated Thank You Note

Dear grandma,

Your thoughtfulness never stops. I don't know what it means to "send away for" a book, so I don't know if you sent a paper check through the mail for a book you saw in a magazine or saw something on TV or hoped something existed and had my aunt look it up on Amazon. In any event, the unusual tricks for gardens book I received was the result, and it is quirky and handy and fun. We love it. I'm sorry that my thank you note is a few weeks late. I forgot to write it in a more timely manner--I hope you knew how thankful I was for your gift and how much I loved it, even if I neglected to put it in ink. Next year, we'll make sure to implement some of those wacky tactics, and maybe our tomatoes won't get blight. I wish I could share them with you.

Love always,
your granddaughter