Gina is angry and determined when she finds out that her daughter-in-law sends her grandkids to her as a kind of punishment. Rather than becoming enraged, she ensures that her house is a secure refuge for her grandkids. She ultimately makes the decision to impart a priceless lesson to her daughter-in-law.
“Jacob, the reason we are here is because you ate the sweets that your mother had been storing for your dad. Mom warned you against it! I heard Thomas, my grandson, talking to his younger sibling.
In the kitchen, I halted and tried to listen to more of their talk while deciding between the fridge and the counter. My heart fell, fearing that if Thomas had been right, my grandkids might not have been sincere in their desire to see me.
I attempted to appear nonchalant as I gently approached them.
“My dear, what do you mean by that?” I enquired.
With wide eyes, Thomas looked up, taken aback.
“Oh, nothing, Grandma,” he blurted out.
I knelt down to their level and softly insisted, “No, really, it’s okay.” “You can share anything with me.”
Thomas looked at Jacob, who gripped his toy tightly and bit his lip.
“Well, every time we ask for things we shouldn’t or do anything bad… Thomas paused.
“Yes, proceed,” I kindly said.
“Mom claims she will send us to the home of that witch.”
“That witch?” Stunned, I repeated.
My daughter-in-law Amanda had always been aloof toward me, but giving the kids these kinds of stories? It broke my heart. My goal has always been to provide my grandkids with a warm and secure environment.
However, this?
It was more than I could handle to realize Amanda was using them against me. Taking a deep breath, I attempted to settle my voice and asked myself, what do my grandkids really think of me?
Oh, honey, I said. “I never intended for you to view my house as a source of punishment. You are under no obligation to come here if you do not want to.
“Yet we enjoy being here!” Thomas gave me instant comfort. Mom recently hinted that this place could be cursed. And it’s horrible and unsettling to be cursed.
This could not continue. Amanda’s coldness was acceptable to me, but engaging the children went too far. This was starting to become personal.
In order to demonstrate to Amanda that she couldn’t weaken my relationship with my grandchildren, I needed a strategy.
I greeted the guys with a warm grin and a touch of curiosity the following time they came to visit.
I said to them, “Come on, let’s have some pie.” However, I also want to tell you a secret.
Their curious eyes became wider.
How about that, Grandma? With eagerness, Jacob inquired.
I dropped my voice to a whisper of conspiracy.
I said, “Your mom was right.” “I identify as a witch.”
Thomas let out a gasp, and Jacob’s eyes widened even more.
“But don’t worry,” I said in a hurry. “I would never do you harm.” Actually, I’m going to impart magic to you.
“Really?” With a hint of doubt mixed with eagerness, Thomas questioned.
“Yes, truly,” I said as I ushered them into the living room, where I had assembled a temporary wizard’s workshop.
We practiced basic sleight-of-hand, watched YouTube magic trick lessons, and made “potions” using baking soda, food coloring, and other spices and plants from the kitchen.
The lads found it fascinating.
“Grandma, I love this!” As his small “potion” boiled and fizzed, Jacob shouted.
I gave him a little ruffle and remarked, “I’m glad you think so.” “You two are amazing wizards.”
The lads got more and more excited about coming to see me. My son Brian contacted me one day to tell me everything.
He said, “Mom, I don’t know what you’re doing.” However, the boys adore being there. They beg me or Amanda to drop them off all the time.
“I’m very happy, sweetie,” I said in response.
I had already instructed the lads to keep our magic sessions a secret from their parents. I didn’t want to hide secrets; all I wanted was to hold off on disclosing anything until the right time.
“How are you guys doing?” Curious, Brian asked.
“I let them be kids, and we spend time together,” I said.
The boys asked Amanda one day to let them spend the night when she came to pick them up.
“No, boys,” she responded firmly. “I have to get back to this side of town because we have an early start tomorrow.”
But the guys kept pleading.
With a sarcastic tone, I responded, “Oh, I guess you’re being punished by being taken home,” staring at Amanda.
When she realized I had repeated her own words, she paled.
“Gina, that wasn’t my intention when I said that,” she stumbled.
“Look, Amanda, we may argue, but don’t you dare include the children in this. Why would you regale them with tales about me, too? That is completely inappropriate.
With a look of humiliation and remorse on her face, she glanced down.
“I was unaware of what I had said,” Amanda went on. “The boys’ misbehavior was the only reason I was upset.”
I clarified, “I just want them to feel loved and safe here.” Could we just agree on that?
With tears welling up in her eyes, my daughter-in-law nodded.
Of course, Gina, I agree. I sincerely apologize.
“I accept your apology,” I murmured gently. “But for their sake, we must now proceed.”
After that, Amanda and I had a momentary calm, and the boys’ visits didn’t have the ominous anxiety hovering over them. We had a great time together, laughing and enjoying the enchantment that made every visit unforgettable.
I put Brian and Amanda to bed one evening while the boys slept over so they could have a romantic night.
“Are you really a witch, Grandma?” Quietly, Jacob enquired.
Grinning, I swept a lock of hair from his brow.
“No, my dear son,” I said. “I’m not. However, if you believe in magic, it exists. It’s found in the affection we give, the joy we experience, and the memories we create.
Jacob, who was half sleeping, remarked, “Grandma, I like your kind of magic.” “It’s not as terrifying as the curses.”
I turned out the light and added, “I love you both, very much.”
Refreshed after our “magical” experiences, the boys ran into the kitchen the following morning as I was preparing breakfast.
“Can we make more potions today, Grandma?” Casting a glance over the counters, Jacob enquired.
Naturally, I chuckled. “How about some pancakes first, though?”
There was a knock on the door as we were ready to dine. Amanda stood there, cautious yet full of hope.
“Good morning,” she murmured. “I was wondering if I could come have breakfast with you.”
I beckoned them inside. “We’ve only just begun.”
Amanda listened to the lads excitedly discuss their fantastical encounters while we ate. Her grin revealed a tenderness that I had never noticed in her.
She murmured, “Thank you,” as the boys went off to play outside. “For all the things.”
I met her eyes and added, “It’s all for them.” “They ought to experience love and happiness.”
She said, “And I apologize for what I said earlier.” “I made your house look like a punishment, which was incorrect. In actuality, it’s cozier and warmer than ours.
Amanda put in more effort with me in the weeks that followed; she would frequently have the boys over and would always have baked goods with her.
Brian commented, “She’s trying, Mom,” one day. And it’s evident that she is truly happy to visit and spend time with the boys and you. This is a major step for her.
I gave my son a grin.
“The time is right,” I remarked.
How would you have responded in the situation?