Dear Jessica Brennan,
A young woman visited her grandmother before embarking on a long journey.
“Where will you be going?” asked the grandmother.
“I will start my journey in Peace River, Alberta then fly to Love Beach, Bahamas”, replied the girl, “I will be in each place for two weeks.”
“Wonderful! Bring me a tiny bag of sand from Peace and Love,” the grandmother said with eyes smiling.
“Next,” said the girl, “I will go to Friendship, Barbados, then Beauty, South Africa and then on to Song, Malaysia, where I will spend a month.”
“Fantastic,” said the grandmother, “Bring me a tiny bag of sand from Friendship, Beauty and Song. Is Song your final destination?”
“No,” smiled the girl, “But you won’t want a bag of sand from where I am travelling next. For the final part of my journey I will spend a month in Soro, Ghana. I’m sure you don’t want sand from Soro!”
“Oh sure I do,” said the grandmother kindly, “Bring me a tiny bag of Soro.”
Months later when the granddaughter returned from her travels she was true to her word and with her she had six tiny bags of sand.
Her grandmother was overjoyed and brought out a large glass bowl of clean, clear water.
“Give me the bags!” she said excitedly.
The first bag from Peace River, held beautiful cream coloured dusty sand.
“This sand of Peace is calm and gorgeous,” said the grandmother as she watched it shimmer in the bowl of water.
The sand from Love, was pastel coral, just slightly different to Peace, yet beautiful lying on top of the creamy base.
“Hand me those bags from Friendship and Beauty,” said the grandmother, and she poured them in on top. They were very pale blues and greens, and washed calmly over the other two layers.
Song was next, with its pale, petal pink hue.
“That’s so pretty grandmother,” said the girl. “I like it just like that.”
“I don’t,” said the grandmother. “You need to watch this.”
The grandmother took the bag from Soro from her granddaughter. In the bag it looked grey and miserable just like its name.
“Are you sure?” asked the girl. “It is lovely as it is.”
“I’m sure,” said the grandmother.
As the grandmother slowly poured the drab sand into the clear water, all the other sand transformed. The layers of peace, love, friendship, beauty and song became vibrant against the grey of Soro.
“Isn’t it gorgeous?” asked the grandmother. “ You see, that’s what sorrow is for.”
Love Mum
xo
