Elderly on the bench in front of the house that is no longer hers.
Grandma Anne sits on a bench facing her old home, the same one where she spent her entire life. Yet now, it belongs to someone else, and she lives there only by their kindness. Anne doesnt understand how she ended up this way. She believes she lived honestly, never wishing harm on anyone, raising her only son with care.
But her son didnt turn out as shed hoped. Anne reflects on her life as bitter tears run down her cheeks. Memories flood backher wedding to her beloved John, the birth of their son Paul a year later, then the twins, a boy and a girl, who were too fragile to survive the week. Soon after, John died of appendicitis. The doctors missed the cause of his pain, and by the time the peritonitis set in, it was too late.
Anne mourned deeply, but tears wouldnt bring him back. Life had to go on. She never remarried, though she had suitors. She feared Paul might struggle with a stepfather, so she devoted herself entirely to his upbringing.
Paul grew up and chose his own path, moving away to the city. He studied, married, and built his own life. Grandma Anne stayed alone in the little cottage John had built when they wed, living there into old age.
Paul visited occasionally, chopping firewood, fetching water, helping where he could. But each year, it grew harder for Anne to manage alone. All she had left were a few chickens and a goat, but even they needed care.
One day, Paul arrived with a stranger.
“Hello, Mum,” he said.
“Hello, love.”
“This is my friend Edward,” he continued. “He wants to see the househes interested in buying it. Youve lived alone long enough. Youll come live with me in the city.”
Anne sat down abruptly, shocked.
“Dont worry, Mum. My wife doesnt mind. Well take care of youyoull be comfortable and help with the grandchildren. They keep asking when Granny Annie will visit.”
The decision was made for her. What could an old woman do? She couldnt manage alone, but at least shed see her grandchildren.
***************
The house sold quickly. Before leaving, Anne said goodbye, touching every corner filled with memories. Stepping into the garden behind the barn, an aching silence tightened her chest. Not long ago, cows had lowed, pigs grunted, and chickens clucked. Now, it was empty.
She scooped a handful of earththe same soil shed worked day and night. It pained her to leave her hometown, where shed been born and lived her whole life. Neighbours wept as they bid her farewell, promising to pray for her in her new home.
With one last look at the house, she climbed into her sons car. What else could she do? Such is the bitterness of old age.
At first, life with her son was pleasant. No heavy chores, no stove or livestockeverything was modern and easy. Anne played with her grandchildren and watched television.
Soon, Paul used the house money to buy a car. Anne objected, saying it was reckless to spend so quickly, but he cut her off. An old woman shouldnt worry about money, he saidshe had a warm flat and everything she needed.
From then on, Anne stayed silent, though his harsh words left a wound. Worse, the car purchase changed Paul and his wifes attitude. The grandchildren grew distant, less affectionate.
The family stopped caringwhether she ate, slept, or needed anything. It only worsened. They no longer called her for meals, spoke sharply, even shouted if she was in the way.
Anne was heartbroken. Had she known shed become unwanted, shed never have sold her home. Better to die cold and hungry in her own cottage than endure thisworse than a stranger in her sons house.
She wept for her old life daily. If she could return, she would in an instant. But the house was sold, lived in by others now.
One day, she couldnt take it anymore.
“I never thought, my boy, my old age would be so bitter in your home,” she said. “Seems money mattered more than your own mother. Im leavingall of you.”
Paul looked down, silent until Anne, with her meagre belongings, reached the door.
“If you tire of wandering, Mum,” he called after her, “you can come back.”
Anne shut the door without a word. On the landing, she let the tears fall. It hurt that he didnt stop her, hold her, or comfort heronly offered cruel dismissal.
***************
It took Anne over a day to reach her village. She slept at the station, hitchhiked, her eyes never dry. Relief came only when she saw her beloved cottage. The new owners had repaired and painted it, making it look just as it had when shed lived there with her Johnny.
Though no longer hers, Anne didnt care. She sneaked into the old pigsty loft, deciding to live there. Being near familiar walls was enough.
Her only fear was being caught and thrown outlike her own son had done. Then, shed truly have nowhere to go. Unless the earth swallowed her whole.
She wasnt hidden long. The next morning, the owner came to feed the pigs. Pouring the feed, he looked up and said, “Come down, Granny Anne. We need to talk.”
Caught so soon, Anne didnt know what to do. Still, she had to face them. Whatever God willed.
What the new owner said stunned her.
“Granny Annie,” Edwardthe man Paul had introducedsaid gently, “my wife and I know everything. Your son called, warning you might return. We know life with him didnt work. Weve thought it overwed like you to live with us. A pigsty is no place for you. Besides, this was always your home. You and your husband built it, cared for it all these years. Theres always room for its true owner. Now, wash upmy wife makes a wonderful stew.”
Anne never expected such kindness. She wept again, tears of gratitude for these strangers who showed more compassion than her own son.
Stepping inside, Annes legs nearly gave way. The house smelled of her life. Because of her son, shed become a beggar in her own home. Her heart ached, yet her lips whispered a prayerfor God to forgive Paul.
