The Simpler Life

"Mom," Julie hollers, slamming the door. "That stupid store was all out of the yellow blouse that EVERYBODY's wearing!"

"I want to tell you a story," Julie's Mom Charlotte says. "When I was about your age, I said something to your Grammy like what you just said to me."

"You're a wonderful person who doesn't need all the latest fads," Grammy said.

"I'll just look like a nobody," I said.

"Your appearance isn't everything," Grammy replied.

"Oh sure," I shouted. "Let's just check out your closet and makeup table."

"Maybe we can both make some changes," Grammy said. "Since we lost your Dad it's been tough on both of us. We should try to do more together; simpler things that don't require us to be fancy."

"Doing simpler things got off to a rocky start," Charlotte says. "Your Grammy and I went to see a movie, with nothing special on. Sure enough, a girl from school saw us in the lobby."

"Charlotte," she exclaimed. "I hardly recognized you in that shirt and jeans."

"Please," I responded. "Don't tell anyone you saw me."

"A rocky start, but over the next couple of months, Grammy and I developed new habits. Going for walks, going to the movies, or just watching TV shows at home."

"A weekend camping trip looks like fun," I said to Grammy. "Nothing fancy.'

"Friday night, we setup our campsite," Charlotte says. "We had a small fire to roast marshmallows. That's when a guy and his Dad from the next campsite came over."

"The guy became your Father," Charlotte says. "His Dad your Grandpa. So, a simpler life can be a good one."

"It's not like I've never heard that story before," Julie says, smiling and giving her Mom a hug. "And I'll try to remember it more often.'