Tuesday, April 7, 2009

an endearing easter story

I got home from work yesterday and went to check my mailbox for junk mail and magazines as usual. Unlocking the bronze box, inside was a lonely pink envelope from my grandmother. I grabbed the card, closed the box, unlocked the door to my apartment, dropped my belongs down in my closet, and hoped up on my desk, ready to open my card.

I sliced open the envelope and found a card covered with Easter eggs. My grandmother sends cards for every holiday; Valentines, St. Patrick's, Earth day, you name it - she sends it. But unlike all the others, when I opened the card a photocopied slip of paper and a $50 dollar check slid out.

I looked to the check memo for a hint about why my grandmother was sending me money, and in the small space read the words "Easter bonnet." But why, I thought. You see, as a child my grandfather annually bought my two sisters and myself Easter bonnets. Every year it was some what of an exciting event to see what fabulous hat we would be wearing to the Easter egg hunt. But we hadn't worn an Easter bonnet in years, so what was with the money for an Easter bonnet? The photocopied paper provided the answer to my question.

My grandfather past away last January and in his will he specified that every year each of us, the grand daugthers, were to receive $50 dollars for the "purpose of defraying the cost of purchasing an Easter bonnet." My grandfather, an 89 year old man who fought in WWII, lived through the depression, saw nearly all the world, tolerated my grandmothers nagging, and spent over the last decade of his life confined to a wheelchair, he found it so important that I be able to purchase an Easter bonnet, that he put it in Section 3.04 of his will. I grin.

My grandfather may have been a hard-ass, but I guess every man has his soft side.

27 comments:

fashion is the only cure said...

that is the sweetest thing.
beautiful :)
i hope you make one... :)
i always made mine with my mum when i was little..

diane said...

Your grandfather sounds like my kind of guy. I love that you think we are worthy enough to share this story. Mwahhh, luv ya, sincerely. xo

thefatandskinnyonfashion said...

That is so sweet. Your story brightened up my day.

Cecilia said...

That's really, really sweet. Lucky you! Are you going to find yourself an easter bonnet?

Femstar2000 said...

That is possibly the cutest thing I have ever heard. Aaaaah =.]

Geri Wu said...

that is so sweet! easter bonnets are lovely

I ♥ NY said...

i love this story! it really made me smile :) thanks for sharing!

Kelly said...

thank you for sharing your sweet story with us. it made my morning. :)

xo
kelly

Aline said...

that is so sweet. thank you so much for sharing that.

Laura said...

What a great story! Thanks for sharing! Makes me even more thankful that I will be with my family and grandfather this Easter. Hope you have a wonderful Easter.

amy b.s. said...

that is amazing. this is a great story and thank you for sharing. you'll have to be sure to share your bonnet as well!

Aeryn said...

Ohh.. that is such a sweet, touching story! Thank you so much for sharing it! Please let us know about the bonnet...

Classic Twist said...

What a beautiful story :)
http://classictwist.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

awww what a lovely story. i wish my grandparents sent me letters. actually, i kind of wish they understood english!

i hope you bought yourself that bonnet! :)

Meghan said...

ah i love that! how precious.
gotta love the pops of the fam!

Unknown said...

what a wonderful surprise for you today. I love this story. I miss my grandfather so much. I still have all of his cards that he sent me every year. what a wonderful memory you have now:) happy Easter!

CathyK said...

thank you for sharing this with us, it's so special to you. I hope you get an Easter bonnet! He sounds exactly like my grandfather who has also passed away. :) Happy Easter!

kimmy said...

What a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing with us.

kadler said...

Aww, that's the sweetest story ever. Love it.

Micaela said...

Pure loveliness!!!! endearing story, indeed!

DolceDreams said...

I love it and can totally relate :) Happy Easter and wear your Bonnet with pride and joy!

angie said...

how SWEET. and aren't surprises just the best?! Thank you for sharing. Grandparents are priceless. I look forward to seeing your Easter bonnet. :) *a

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

Cutest story EVAH! How sweet that he thought to do that.

I hope you pick a fabulous bonnet. :-)

stacy di said...

what a sweet story. thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

So heart warming.

The only question is, what type of bonnet are you going to get? Does a headpiece count?

A Gift Wrapped Life said...

I'm new to your blog but had to tell you that I so enjoyed the "bonnet" story. I don't think he can fall into the category of hardass grandfather any more! Great blog, will visit again.

Jenny - pygmeestyle.blogg.se said...

What a great story, this made my day.