Whitlee Jo Would Call Her Magic Land Unilan

 The Grandmas decided that the next day they would meet at Marleewood. Marlee and Grandma Lu were anxious to start their new adventure. Marlee had said that she wanted to wear a hat like Grandma Lu did so Grandma Lu went rummaging through her closet and found a fun little hat for Marlee to wear, threw it in her car and away she went to Marleewood with a smile on her face. This was going to be such fun. When she walked in the back kitchen she could smell coffee perking and people talking. Sure enough it was Marlee and Grandma B. What in the world was Marlee doing? "Oh my, this might be a challenge today. I think Marlee is in charge of the story by the looks of things. Oh I can't wait to see how this turns out." "Hi, Marlee! I brought you a hat to wear. What do you think?"Marlee put that hat on and said, "This is just what I needed. Now I can write a good story. Let's get started, Grandma Lu."

"I'm already at the part where I decided that there is a princess that lives in a big castle and she is lonely. She wants some friends. She probably should have a dog too. I have a dog, and Grandma B has two dogs and horses and donkeys. She used to have cats, but they were too much trouble, so she doesn't have cats anymore."Whitlee said, "But I love cats, you should have cats in your story." 

"No! I want something different. Grandma Lu what kind of animals should we have?" 

"Well, do you want something magical? An animal that isn't real, but very very beautiful?" asked Grandma Lu. "Unicorns are said to be magical. I've seen pictures of them. They have long beautiful manes and tails. Some say they are the ancestors of that huge one horned animal that roamed the earth thousands of years ago, the Siberian Unicorn that I told you about. Other people say that the rhinoceros we see in zoos and that live in the wild in Africa and Asia are ancestors of those big guys. Those unicorns were even mentioned in the Bible and pictures of them were carved into stone caves. There are many countries say they had unicorns roaming their part of the world. China, Greece, Iran, France, and many others. I think it's fun for everyone to think about."

 I read once in a story book that someone who is sick that is lucky enough to get a sip of the liquid from the horn of a unicorn will get all better. That's probably just make believe, but it's fun to imagine them running all around, isn't it?"

Whitlee was sitting in the kitchen listening to Marlee and Grandma Lu. She was thinking. "I have my very own baby "Uni". I love him and I go to sleep with him every night and my blankie.
 If Uni's were magic I bet they would give me a beautiful castle too and my very own bedroom that was just as good as that old story princess they are talking about. I would have my very own magic land. I would call it Unilan' and I would be a princess and would throw stuff at people I didn't like or maybe just do it just for fun."

And that night as Whitlee was sleeping she dreamed all about her magic bedroom. She would have a Uni in the corner and her very own Uni in her arms. The royal crown of her mama's would be her night light and always keep her safe.

                                                                    Lyvy

In another far away land there was another little girl that didn't have any friends either. She also had a big sister. She was always busy with her friends and even their daddy.  Everyone said she was beautiful, but they seldom would play with her because she was too little. She lived in the cold and snowy part of Wefunland.  She loved all of her beautiful Uni's, but oh how she wished for some people friends. Her big sister sometimes went to parties. She would like to go to a party. They would have such fun, she just knew it. It would be so easy to just ride one of her uni's on the rainbow to that big castle she had heard about.

                                                                 

Grandma Lu said, "Marlee, what do you think about having the princess send out invitations to a party? Surely there are children that would like to go to the castle and play maybe even stay overnight."

Marlee said, "Yes, good idea! A sleepover would be so much fun. She could just see herself writing out invitations to her party. Yes, she decided that she would be the beautiful princess.

And They Called It Wefunland

One day Grandma Lu was at Marleewood looking out the window of the sitting room. She had been reading a book. Reading was one of her very favorite things to do. She loved Marleewood because it had everything that she needed and loved. It had a Quiet Room so if she needed to be alone to think or read she could and it had her favorite people coming and going. Like Grandma B and children that liked her stories that she usually told in the Sitting Room. She sighed and thought. "One of these days I might run out of stories. Maybe I can get the children to tell me their stories. I would love that. Marlee told me a story a long time ago about Propunzel. Oh that was so much fun. Her imagination just about matches mine. We had such a good time writing that story together."

When Grandma Lu looked up there was Marlee grinning at her. "What are you doing, Grandma Lu? It's awfully quiet in here. Where is everybody? Grandma B and I are out in the kitchen, want to come? I think she has some snacks in there." Grandma Lu took a deep breath and said, "Oh my goodness. That smells like apple pie!" She was up and out of her chair in a flash. Marlee grinned and said, "B, we are coming in for some apple pie!" "And coffee," added Grandma Lu.

As they were having their pie and drinks, Marlee said, "What were you reading about in there? Was it a good story?" Grandma Lu smiled and said, "It really wasn't a story. I like reading about all kinds of different things. This one was an article about animals that lived on the earth before people did."

Marlee said, "What were they like?  Were they big? Were there bugs too? I don't like bugs. Did that book say anything about horses and birds? How about dogs? I love Zeke, but sometimes he gets all muddy and B gets mad and has to give him a bath." The ladies laughed and continued to eat their pie.  The kitchen got kind of  quiet and Grandma Lu's eyes twinkled then she started to talk. When she talked she looked right at Marlee and smiled. "You know what? Thousands and thousands of years ago the world had no people living on it, but it was so very beautiful. It had blue lakes and turquoise blue oceans and oh the trees were so tall and green they looked like they were watching out for all the good on the earth and keeping them safe. The green grass grew tall and sweet. The breeze would blow enough to make that grass weave in and out making a home for the smaller animals.  Some of the animals that lived on the earth loved that sweet tasting grass and ate and ate until they got very very big. 

 "Then what happened? Where are they now?" asked Marlee."Well I heard tell that there were so many of them that they ate all that sweet tasting grass. They were still hungry so they traveled far far away and were never heard from again. They left just one area on earth that remained green and beautiful. It was high on a mountain range where those big animals couldn't reach. Thousands of years later some people discovered those mountains. They fell in love with their beauty and made their home there. As the years became centuries (hundred of years) more people moved there. Many of them made beautiful cloth and became known as weavers because they weaved the yarn from the sheep, goats and other animals to make clothes.  Marlee said, "What? That's my last name; Weaver. Do you think one of my grandmas ever lived there?"

Both Grandmas started to talk at once. Grandma Lu and Grandma B both said, "Why are you eating a cupcake? I thought you wanted some apple pie."  Marlee grinned and said, "I like cupcakes better, anyway do you think one of my grandmas lived on that mountain?" Grandma Lu grinned and said, "Do you want her to? Do you want to help me write a story again? It's been a long time since we did a story together. What do you think?"

"Yay! Yes, let's write another book, shall we? Where do we start? What was the name of the place where all those people went to live?" Grandma Lu said, "Well, when there are two people like us the word is called "we" and we like to have fun, right?" Marlee laughed and said, "Yes!" Grandma Lu said, "So let's put those two words together and call it We- fun- land. or putting it all together it will sound like Wefunland. How does that sound?"

"Good, but I think I need a hat like you wear, Grandma Lu. I have to be able to think good." The grandmas laughed and each gave Marlee a hug.

                                                                      *****

Only at Marleewood would the story of the lonely princess of Wefunland be written by an elderly lady and a four year old girl who shared the love of adventures and make believe. Let's see what those two come up with.

The Magic Ruby Finds It's Final Home

 Gracie followed her brother out the front door of Marleewood. She had a feeling she knew why he didn't stay to listen to Grandma Lu's story. He wanted to go to a place not far from their home. There was a place that she thought was an abandoned school playground where children played and friends met to play basketball and talk after school. What Gracie didn't know was that Grandma Lu had given Spencer a little motivation while she was telling her story. Her story encouraged him to work as hard as he could at shooting baskets. When at long last the Special Olympics gym was finally open he would be as ready as he could be. He didn't want to waste time on a sunshiny day indoors. Oh how he wanted to play and get better at it.  He had told Charlotte at the diner that his dream was to make a basket from a long ways away. In order to do that he had to work hard. He thought he knew where there was an old basketball that someone had left behind. He hoped it was still there.

It took a few minutes to walk home. They talked a lot about basketball, but about other things too. Gracie told him that she would help him find the basketball he thought was on the old school playground. Then she said after that they could watch a scary movie together if there was time before supper. Oh Spencer loved to be scared. He called it being jump scared. As they were talking about some of the movies they had watched together, he said, "Gracie, look! I think I see it over there in the weeds."

Just as Spencer reached for the old basketball, Grandma Lu reached into her old trunk full of photo albums and things she loved like dried flowers, pictures, and other treasures. Suddenly she let out a little "Oh my! Something sharp is in here. What in the world is it? Oh land sakes, I have been looking for this for years. It was my mother's ruby ring. I am so happy. I wonder if it will fit me."

She picked it up and put it on her finger easily. She instantly had a wonderful warm feeling. She just knew that something wonderful had happened. She didn't know what, but she felt it had something to do with her mother's ruby ring. Oh it had been such a good day. She just knew that things were going to get better, the deadly virus would hopefully soon be gone with the help of good doctors, nurses and scientists making medicine to prevent folks from getting so sick and so many other people that put their lives on the line to help others. She closed her eyes and silently said, "Thank you for watching over me and my little friends and their families. I love you mama."

At Grandma Lu slipped her mother's ruby ring on her finger Spencer was about to throw that very special ball  hopefully to make the basket of his dreams come true.

The elderly gentleman and the nice lady had quietly left Marleewood. They were on their way to help make another wish come true for yet another very special child.

The Love Of A Sister And A Parent's Hope

Grandma Lu smiled and said, "My mother used to say that need was the mother of invention. In other words people tend to make or start new things because there is a need for them. My father invented things all the time and enjoyed  making things that made his work easier. I can remember he made a contraption my mother called it that held a trash bag that held the leaves that he raked up out in the yard. This was long before anyone had gotten a patent on it and sold them in stores. He was quite a man if I do say so myself. By the way my favorite picture of his is with a book. He loved to read.

One lady who was the sister of our late president, John F. Kennedy, had such a need. Her father had insisted on an operation for her younger sister which ended up being a mistake and left her unable to enjoy the athletic games that she so enjoyed. Her name was Eunice Kennedy Shriver. 

One day she decided that since her whole family loved all kinds of sports she was going to invent something for her sister, Rosemary. So she did. It took some work and some planning. She would play with her sister and get her muscles working. Soon she started to smile again. At this time they lived on a farm in Maryland called Timberlawn. The news spread quickly that Eunice had something special going for special needs children. She soon found out that the need was great, so she went to high schools and colleges to get volunteers. She also asked parents and children without disabilities to join in the fun.  Soon Eunice had fifty children coming over. She started with one on one ratio of children and volunteers. They had horseback riding, soccer and basketball She started calling it Camp Shriver. That was in 1962. Within just a few years the idea of children and adults with disabilities were gathering all over the world at gyms and camps or wherever places could accommodate a number of people.

 Other folks started volunteering to help set up the games and soon there were over five million people in what was later called the Special Olympics in 1968. Anyone that has a medical diagnosis of any kind of disability can be a part of this wonderful organization. And guess what? It's free! There are over 32 sports of all kinds in over 172 countries. They have competitions locally, states and countries every year, not just every four years like the Olympics for folks that do not have disabilities. Folks gain self esteem and self confidence and most always have smiles on their faces that being because all they needed was a chance to achieve their goal.

Here is a picture of her with a softball team at National Olympics in 2006 in Iowa where I was raised.

"I believe that was the last game she attended, but I may be wrong."

Grandma Lu looked at the pictures in her hand and smiled a smile only a mother could. "This is my son. When he was born he could hardly see. He had to have lots of operations and special glasses. He used to get black and blue a lot because he would run into things because he couldn't see them. He had a brother that played football and wrestling in school, he had a sister that ran in track and was a cheerleader, he needed something fun to do too so he started Special Olympics. We lived in South Dakota at the time. He was in ice skating, running, and swimming. He was about eight years old when he started. One day he and a little black boy were sitting on the edge of the pool resting. The little boy with black skin pointed at Mike's black and blue spots and said, "Why aren't you black all over like me?" Mike shrugged his shoulders and said, "I don't know. Let's go swimming." That is the hope and dreams of all parents. They were friends because they shared a common love of swimming and they knew no color but the beautiful color of friendship. Here are a couple of pictures of him with his medals. He was so proud.

Note the tv trays, the portable black and white television and stereo and don't forget the floor lamps!

Learning Words That Begin With "R" Reading, Respect And Rules

 Grandma Lu told the children, "When you go to the library you can check things out to read or look at if you have a library card. Most libraries will let you have a card at a very young age if you have a parent or guardian with you. Some folks have stayed away from the library and a lot of public places because of the virus that caused so many people to get sick. Lots of public places were closed and now that they are open people are slower to go back. Libraries are nice and clean and remember to wear a mask. The library down the street has story time sometimes in the morning and sometimes in the evening, so make sure you call and see what time before you go. I can remember getting my own library card when I was just seven years old. I was so very proud. It made me feel all grown up. I still have that card somewhere in my box of photos and treasures. I'll have to look for it. Here is a picture of my husband's daughter. She works in a library in Texas. 

Charlotte said, "Well, they didn't have any books in our library about Special Olympics but they have computers that had all kinds of articles and pictures about them. The lady gave us library cards so that we can check out books or magazines whenever we want to. The lady at the library said thanks to us she would order some books about them because sometimes it is just really nice to hold a book rather than look at a cell phone or tablet."

Grandma Lu said, "Oh I agree totally. I was raised to respect books and the library. There are rules when you go to a library You must be quiet and talk softly so that you don't bother folks that have gone there to read and sometimes to study for school. Oh look, I knew I had this. Here is my first library card. It says right on the card that I was responsible for the books that I checked out. I lost one of the very newest books that the library had. It was one of the very first Laura Ingalls Wilder books. It cost my mom and dad thirteen dollars to replace it. They were very poor and could not afford it, however, I certainly learned my lesson.

Arie said, "I love to read books, It's really fun to read with my friends and my grandpa likes to read to us too."

"Here are some pictures and pamphlets about the Special Olympics. 

As Grandma Lu was bending down to get her things out of her photo album box she noticed Spencer quietly going out the door. She wondered why he didn't stay for the story, but she did see his sister following him out. "I hope everything is alright there. I like Spencer," she thought to herself.

What Grandma Lu didn't see was the smile and a wink from the elderly man as he watched them leave. His face had a glow perhaps from the ruby he was holding.

Learning That Different Is Just A Word

 The two angels stood behind Grandma Lu's chair as she was getting her pictures together. Of course, you couldn't see or hear them. The older of the two angels said, "You know Grandma Lu is one of the reasons I am ready to retire. I have been looking after her for years. Even when she was a child she was a handful. She kept her parents and me on our toes. She's had broken bones, been in car accidents, had a need for speed when she was a teenager that even made me cover my eyes. Now that she's an old woman, she still needs someone to look out for her. Gracious sakes she just had another broken bone not too long ago. Hopefully, you can take over for me without any trouble. She seems to be happy here at Marleewood telling her stories not just to the children but to the adults as well."

About then Marlee said, "Hi Grandma Lu! Are you going to tell a story today? What are you looking for in that box?"

"Oh I was just looking for some old pictures and pamphlets and stuff that I have in here. Boy I sure save a lot of stuff. How are you anyway? I haven't seen you for awhile." Marlee grinned and said, "I'm good." Then she looked up and said, "There come some people I haven't seen before. Who are they?" Grandma Lu grinned and said, "Oh they are friends of mine. I invited them to come to Marleewood for snacks today. "How are you folks? What have you been doing today?"

Marlee said, "Wow, you look really different! Are you dressed up for Halloween?" The children laughed and said, "No, it was 80's Day at school. Who is that in that picture you are holding, Grandma Lu? That lady sure had big hair and big glasses." Grandma Lu laughed and said, "Well, that was me in the 80''s and yes we did wear big glasses and big hair. That was right before I moved to Humansville a long long time ago."

Marlee said, "Oh you look really different than you do now."

Grandma Lu smiled and said, "Let's talk about different. What does different mean? What is different than short? Marlee said, "Tall." Grandma Lu said, "Right you are! You gave the meaning of the word opposite. Another opposite would be the opposite of happy would be sad.  We are learning all kinds of words today. Okay let's play a game. We will say a word then say something that is different." The children started to come closer to her chair. She said, "There are lots and lots of things about people that are different. Some people can't walk. Do you know what some people use to get around?" The children started talking among themselves, talking about things that they had seen people use to get around like wheelchairs, canes, and walkers. Without her even saying much of anything else, the children said, "Some people wear glasses and some don't. Some people can't hear very good so they wear hearing aids, and some people have trouble talking and writing. I have a friend that I really like; he is different than me. He has different color skin. His skin is much darker. The adults that had been in the kitchen started to listen to the children and added some of their differences; some people can play the piano and some people can play basketball and sports really well and other people can't even though they want to really bad. They need some help and some encouragement to achieve their goals."

So Grandma Lu said, "You all have the right idea. So now tell me how we are all alike."

About that time the elderly uncle and Charlotte, and a nice lady walked in. Charlotte said, "We have just been to the library. We found out all about the Special Olympics. That's one place where we are all alike. We all like to have fun and have friends. If people have a goal  (a goal is something to work towards that is really important to you) to do things like be in a race or play basketball or even ice skate, there are people there to help them at Special Olympic gyms all over the world. Everyone smiled and agreed with her that goals were important and being able to achieve too. The one thing about a goal is that you sometimes have to work really hard to achieve it."

So Grandma Lu said, "Well, tell us all about what else you learned at the library. I have some things here and some pictures and of course, a story or two to go with them. But first let's hear what all you learned for instance where and when did the Special Olympics begin? What makes it different than the Olympics for people without handicaps? Oh there's a word to learn isn't it? I think it means that it is harder for some folks to do some things than others. Does anyone have another meaning? One person said, a handicap gives you a disadvantage at some things like running if you don't have legs, or having trouble remembering things in school. Does that count?" Grandma Lu said, "It sure does. There are all kinds of handicaps aren't there?" 

 She looked at the older gentleman and said, "Don't I know you from somewhere? You look so familiar."

Charlotte And The Elderly Uncle Go To The Library

After Spencer left the cafe he went home and discovered that his sister and her new baby were visiting. He just loved being an uncle and now he had a new little niece to cuddle and protect. When he tiptoed into the bedroom there she was sound asleep. He kind of grinned to himself and thought, "I kinda like her. She's so little and cute." It seemed like no time when Lani woke up and was able to snuggle for a bit with her Uncle Spencer. It was so much fun. While he was holding the tiny baby he thought about his new friend at the cafe. He really would like to play basketball again. Hopefully this bad sickness would go away so he could go back to play with the other kids. It seemed like it took forever though so he guessed he would have to do something at home that he enjoyed. He loved YouTube and thought maybe someday he would like to help other people make videos and give them tips on how to do better and get better scores. He also had another idea in mind, but that might take some doing.

After dinner that evening, Charlotte told her elderly uncle about her new friendship with Spencer. She said, "Do you know anything about Special Olympics? I haven't heard about them until today when I was talking to Spencer. He said they have lots of things to do. Are they like the Olympics that happen in the summer and winter? Don't they happen every four years or something? I don't know much about them at all. I know when I was in school they had different sports. They had track meets, basketball games, and football games that schools would compete against each other. The only Olympics I know about are the Olympics that are played by grownups in the summer and winter time.

Charlotte's elderly uncle said, "Well, I'll tell you what let's get ourselves to the library in the next few days. I know the librarian there. She actually sent me a Christmas card with Santa on it. I may have thrown it away. I didn't believe in Christmas and all the joy it brings to children and most adults back then. I'll have to see if I still have it. I'm sure she will help us find some books or pamphlets telling about those Special Olympics."

"I do know this much it was started by a sister of one of  our presidents almost sixty years ago. His name was John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Lots of us called him JFK for short. Let's make a date after you get off work this week. I'll take you and a friend or two to the library and then afterwards maybe we can find something fun to do. How's that sound?"

What Charlotte and her elderly uncle didn't know was that Charlotte's guardian angel had stopped off at Marleewood on her way to retirement. She had brought her apprentice angel who was in training with her. Marleewood was just down the street from the library.  Grandma Lu was getting ready to tell a story. People that knew her well knew that because she was going through her old photo albums.