Life Is What You Make It
This reflective short story by Carrie Hewlett sees a woman make some big decisions.
Julie loved taking care of her family. Was there room to follow her dreams, too?
IF wishes were horses, beggars would ride.” Seven-year-old Hannah pushed a lock of chestnut hair behind one ear and stared up at her gran. “What, Gran?”
“It’s a saying, sweetheart. It means if we could achieve our aims by wishing for them, life would be easy.”
Julie turned, regretfully tucking the brown envelope she’d been holding into the letter rack on the shelf.
She’d sent off to the Open University on a whim, as it was something she’d always fancied doing.
But then work got busier, and she’d had her health scare, so she’d had to put any thoughts of studying for an English degree on hold.
Plus, she was helping out her daughter by looking after Hannah every day after school. Life was hectic enough.
“You said wishes do come true though, Gran.”
“Well, at your age they do.”
She ruffled Hannah’s hair. “Shall we prepare supper?” Julie said, wanting to divert the conversation.
“What are we going to have? I’m hungry already!”
Julie laughed, knowing what a healthy appetite her granddaughter had.
“Well, I thought we could do a stir-fry, or pasta bolognese.”
“Ugh! I hate pasta bolognese!” Hannah pulled a disgusted face.
“One man’s meat is another man’s poison,” Julie said, raising an eyebrow. Hannah rolled her eyes. “Stop with the sayings, Granny!”
“You want me to let sleeping dogs lie?” Julie couldn’t help herself. “Granny!”
Julie laughed, deciding wisely that it would be better to get Hannah chopping vegetables in the kitchen rather than push things any further.
“Stir-fry it is, then. Come on, you can help.”
After they had finished, Julie sent Hannah back to play and made herself a cup of tea.
It was funny how all the old proverbs were coming back to her.
She’d always loved the English language. She found words and meanings fascinating, and she regretted not studying further. But being a full-time mum had taken over.
She’d got a job to help pay the bills, and life had trundled along – though her dream had never disappeared. Maybe that was why she’d sent off for the course details. And now, today, she’d had a reminder that there was still time to enrol.
A quote by Eleanor Roosevelt popped into her head: “Life is what you make it, always has been, always will be”. Maybe life was telling her to go for it now?
In between chores and playing with Hannah, the afternoon flew by. They were just ready to dish up supper when Julie heard the front door.
“There’s your mum now,” she said. “East, west, home best.”
“Granny, not again!” Hannah gave her a hard stare before scooting off to see her mum.
Julie could hear them in the hall, and their conversation made her chuckle.
“Mum, Granny has been talking sayings all day to me. Tell her to stop!”
“Don’t sweat the small stuff.”
“Oh no, not you, too!” she grumbled, stomping back up the hall.
“Cleanliness is next to godliness, so go and wash your hands before we eat.”
Julie came out of the kitchen and hugged Amy.
“Hi, Mum. Have you had a good day?” Amy asked.
“Fine.” Julie grinned. “How about you, love?”
“Not bad. Hope you’ve not been overdoing things.”
Amy eyed her mum with concern.
“Hannah’s been helping me with the chores. Are you ready to eat?”
As Julie dished up, she finally brought up the subject that had been swirling around in her mind.
“Did you say that one of your friends was setting up a childcare service?” she asked casually.
Amy nodded.
“Only I was thinking: how would you feel if Hannah went there, maybe two or three times a week after school?”
“But I can’t afford it . . .” Amy began.
“I know, love. But – remember that accountancy course you did a few years ago? How would your friend feel if you offered to do her books in exchange for her looking after Hannah? That way, you would be doing each other a service.”
A smile spread across Amy’s face.
“That’s actually a good idea, Mum. I think she’d be happy to. And I’d get the chance to use what I’d learned . . .” A realisation dawned on her. “Are you thinking that would give you time to study for that English degree?”
“This could be the perfect solution.” Julie nodded.
A wave of excitement ran through her as her eyes flicked back to the letter rack. This was her chance. She was going to grab it with both hands. No more excuses.
The End.