For Billy Light’s two kids, going to either of their grandma’s homes was like taking a minivacation. Whether they headed to Grandma Shirley or Grandma Louise, their visits were filled with fun and affection.
But when Light’s son Andrew was four and his daughter Lindsey seven, both grandmothers passed away within a few months of each other. The losses were unexpected and shockingly shift, and Light found it almost impossible to answer his children’s most pressing questions.
The Atlanta native and Dunwoody resident finally hit on a solution: He wrote a story about grandmas turning into shining stars in the heavens who always watch over their families. Using Lindsey’s crayon drawings of her favorite grandma memories, he put together a booklet he dubbed, “Grandmas Never Leave Us.”
“My kids were confused,” recalled Light, 57. “How do you explain death to them? So I came up with this story, Lindsey drew the pictures. But then I put it in a drawer, where it sat for about 20 years.”
Two years ago, Lindsey conspired with her mother and fiancé to dig up the little story and put it in a book. The hardcover collection of her drawings and Light’s story turned into a memorable gift.
“That was the best present I ever had,” said Light. “I just had to show it off to people. The book’s goal was to soften the reality of death and to help kids realize that Grandma is now in a happy place. It’s the story of a family and their grandma that combined the two grandmothers in our family, but has been a big help for friends I’ve shared it with whose kids asked the same questions.”
With a lot of encouragement and support from family and friends, Light finally published a paperback version of the book a few months ago and is making it available online. He’s on a mission to help other families cope with the death of a beloved grandma and to help them remember those special women on Mother’s Day.
Light and his family will also be remembering their special grandmas this weekend when Andrew, now 27, gets married.
“He doesn’t remember his grandmothers, but as he helped me put this book together, he asked me a lot of questions that helped him reconnect with them,” said Light. “Lindsey remembers them, but it was a long time ago. They were just kids. But we will definitely talk about them during the rehearsal dinner this Friday. Because even though they’re gone, grandmas never leave us.”
Who has inspired you?
Every other Wednesday, H.M. Cauley brings you positive stories from our community. To suggest a story idea, e-mail hm_cauley@yahoo.com.
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