Part 10

The Power of a Smile to Change Lives:  Macy’s Story

Part 10

A week and a half from when Macy got her new smile, the phone call came in.  The thought of the whole thing had her pacing the living room at her Grandma Sue’s house like a caged animal.

“But Grandma, it’s only been ten days since surgery.”

“Yes, but you look great.  You can’t even tell.  I’m not sure what you’re worried about.”

“I don’t know,” Macy stared at her feet, “I guess I'm concerned because interviews have always gone so badly in the past.”

“Come on, grab your gloves.  The garden feels neglected.”  The two women went into their own little garden of Eden in the form of Sue’s backyard, where the worries of the world seem to be less threatening among the many shades of green.

Evening approached and the temperature dropped as the glaring sun was blotted out by the old trees in the neighborhood.  It was a perfect time to cultivate both their garden and their relationship as mentor and debutante.  Sue realized a great opportunity was coming for her granddaughter, and since they had faced Macy's fears once together, they could do it again.

“So they want you to interview tomorrow at the active living community?”

“Yes.  The lady sounded super nice on the phone.  They need someone to help out with the older residents who aren’t as independent at they used to be.  I would get to look in on them and make sure everything is in order, and spend a lot of time with activities...”  Macy continued to explain her many duties if she were hired, while dead-heading the roses that had gone to seed.  “You know what, Grandma?  When I went to Dr. Yeoman’s office I felt really frightened, but I came through it.  I don't think anything will ever seem that scary again.  I think I can do this.”

Smiling to herself, Grandma Sue knew that things would work out fine.

The next afternoon, Sue watched from the window as her granddaughter bounded up the walkway.  Just by Macy’s step, Sue knew she had met her fear face-on and won.  With a healthy smile and a new outlook on life, Macy was on her way to finding the self-esteem to make something of herself.  She was  maturing into a new woman.

“Grandma, guess what!”  Words were unnecessary when Macy flung her arms around Sue’s neck.  They laughed and celebrated by baking chocolate chip cookies from scratch.

Licking the cookie batter from the beaters and completely ignorant of the flour on the tip of her nose, Macy raved about who she met at the center on her first day at her job.  She described the administrators, the nurses, the activities director, and her favorite residents.

“I met the most adorable man!”  Sue’s curiosity peaked as she wondered if this was someone who might be a potential beau.  “He tells the funniest stories and I got to talk to him for the longest time.  He told me my smile is beautiful.  I didn’t tell him it was a Second Smile, I just giggled and said, ‘Thank you!’  It’s fun having my own secret!”

Now Sue could wait no longer, “So, do you think you’ll see him again?  Maybe we can invite him to dinner?”

Macy cracked up with laughter.  “Grandma, he’s 103 years old!  He’s too old to date you!”  Hilarity ensued at the thought of Sue dating an “older man”.  Macy filled the evening with stories that Mr. Dillard had related to her, as he remembered going to school on the back of a farm horse, when the Titanic tragedy showed up in the papers, tending a Victory garden through two wars, and when the world produced the greatest invention ever... sliced bread in the 1930’s.  “I can’t wait to see him again.  He remembers everything, and I think he’s my first friend at my new job.  I’m going to love going to work!”

Enjoying the hot cookies from the oven and licking their chocolatey fingers, the two ladies were very pleased and encouraged by the events of the day.  And they each knew in their own way, it would only get better. 


Macy’s Story Part 9