The Best Grandma in the World by Howard Books

Author:Howard Books
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Howard Books
Published: 2007-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

The Singing Mamaw

BYDONNA J. SHEPHERD

Brooke has the widest smile, the most sparkling eyes, and the sweetest voice of any grandchild in the world—according to her grandma, Shirley.

Even though five-year-old Brooke has SMA—Spinal Muscular Atrophy—and spends the better part of her day in a wheelchair, her cheerful attitude keeps those around her entertained. Behind the smile lies a bit of mischievousness. Sometimes her voice comes out whiny and cajoling, but when Brooke bats those long eyelashes and says, “Please,” no one can turn down any request, and she knows it!

Because of Brooke’s medical condition, her mom, Ginger, needs to fly her cross-country several times a year for tests. It’s a difficult task to transport Brooke, her wheelchair, and her baby sister—who also happens to have SMA. That’s where Grandma comes in.

In spite of the fact that she recently had surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome, Shirley lifts and tugs and carries the children anyplace they need to be. At the end of the day, with her wrists in braces, she takes a couple of anti-inflammatory pills and collapses into bed. Her rest doesn’t last long.

A thin, high voice calls out from the nearby bed, “Mamaw, are you awake?”

Brooke doesn’t have enough muscle tone to turn herself over. Shirley climbs out of bed to reposition her. She will do this several more times before the night is through.

In the morning light, Brooke gives her grandma an angelic smile, and says, “Mamaw, I counted, and I only had to get you up four times.”

Shirley’s eyes fill with tears. This child keeps track of the kindnesses she receives. “Honey, Mamaw would get up a hundred times if you needed me.”

For a few of the tests, Brooke can be sedated, but one test requires that she remain alert. To take Brooke’s mind off the discomfort, Shirley always sings to her during the test. When the time comes to be placed aboard the gurney and rolled down the hospital hallway for the dreaded test, Brooke calls out in a plaintive tone, “Mamaw, I need you to sing.”

A nurse standing at her station speaks up and tells Shirley, “I notice that that baby’s mom is standing right beside her, yet she calls for you. You must be the best grandma in the whole world.”

Shirley looks at Brooke, so young and frail, who has to endure these tests time and again. The doctors have already told the family she may never walk, and in fact, may not live past her teens. Each moment spent with Brooke is precious, and every “Mamaw” sounds like the sweetest sound in the world.

Shirley turns to the nurse and says, “As a grandma, I may not be the best, but as Brooke’s Mamaw, I’m the most blessed.”

And then she takes Brooke’s chubby hand into her aching one and begins to sing. 5

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