I recently realized that sometimes drastic measures are needed to get a message across. In this case, punishing my grandchildren for what they did to my wife would not teach them a strong enough lesson.
Instead, I assigned them a challenging task to help them make amends.
I, Clarence, 74, have always known my wife, Jenny, 73, to be the kindest and sweetest person, especially when it comes to our grandchildren. Every year, without fail, she knits them beautiful, intricate sweaters for their birthdays and Christmases.
A moment we wish we could erase from our collective memory. As we strolled down the aisles, my wife stopped. Her eyes were riveted on something that rendered her immobile. “What is that, am I seeing things?” she asked as she pointed a trembling finger.
Among the myriad of discarded items hung the sweaters Jenny had lovingly knitted for our grandchildren, all for sale! One, in particular, caught my eye: a blue and gray striped one that looked unmistakably like the one Jenny had made for our oldest granddaughter last Christmas.
“I understand why kids are embarrassed to wear Grandma’s sweaters.”
As we finished our meal, the grandchildren had one last thing to add: “We promise to cherish our handmade gifts forever.”
