THE LAUGHING GRAND-MAMAN

By Yolonda Pelletier

London loved his visits from grandma Monique and grandpa Pierre. What he loved most was seeing grandma laugh. And what is was that made her laugh all the time. It made London laugh too. Grandpa Pierre told funny stories, he didn’t like insects and he also didn’t see very well. So he was always bumping into things. And those were the things that made grandma laugh… and London too.

Whenever grandma and grandpa came to visit they would stay up late and play a card game called the “President”. Whoever won got to be the president. London, of coarse, always wanted to win. But more than winning he liked teasing his grandpa who didn’t see very well. Each time grandpa Pierre gathered his cards. London would press the most favored card "the joker" face up through the glass table. “Grandpa” he would say, “you missed one!” Not able to grab it always puzzled Grandpa for a moment. This made grandma laugh... and London too. The three of them would play for hours. Mostly because grandpa lost often to Grandma and he didn’t want anyone to go to bed until he was president! Which made grandma laugh…and London too.

Playing cards was fun but their favorite thing to do together, was going to the beach. Especially for grandpa because there was nothing to bump into and no insects! Together they would relax in the sun, take long walks while grandpa told funny stories, practice soccer passes on the beach, building extravagant sand castles and swimming in a beautiful Caribbean ocean.

As they walked onto the shore people suddenly started to yell! Pointing and hollering at grandpa, London and Grandma noticed a large jellyfish splattered across grandpa’s back! He didn’t even notice until grandma screamed, “There’s a jellyfish on your back!” While the people crowded around grandpa to watch the life guards prying the jellyfish off his back, grandma laughed… and London too.

With the jellyfish floating safely away and the sun beginning to set. London, grandma and grandpa walk towards their favorite restaurant on the boardwalk. Where they enjoy their favorite meal. As grandma, grandpa and London enjoy their pizza and fries, they discussed life, as grandparents always do. And London, who asked many questions as he always does. "Grandma" London says, "What is your favorite thing to do?” "I love to laugh,” said grandma with a smile. And grandpa loved it too.

The end

In loving memory, La Belle Grand-maman Monique

Life is full of surprises, unexpected events and moments that will challenge you. Never give up, always go on and find humor wherever you can...

Monique Morand Pelletier