It was a sunny morning, but there was a quiet sadness in the air. Bibi, a bright and bubbly five-year-old, stood on the porch with her small suitcase in hand. Her curly hair bounced as she shifted from foot to foot, looking up at the woman who had become her second mother, her best friend, and her comfort for the past few weeks. Grandma.
Bibi had spent the summer with Grandma in her cozy countryside cottage. It had been the best summer ever. They baked cookies, chased butterflies, read books under the big oak tree, and danced in the rain. Every morning, the scent of fresh bread filled the kitchen, and every night, Grandma told magical bedtime stories that made Bibi’s dreams swirl with wonder.
But today, it was time to go home.
A Summer to Remember
From the very first day Bibi arrived, she and Grandma had fallen into an easy rhythm. They picked strawberries in the garden and made jam together, fingers sticky and smiles wide. Bibi loved helping Grandma in the kitchen, even if she mostly made messes. Grandma never minded. “That’s how memories are made, sweet pea,” she would say with a twinkle in her eye.
They had tea parties with Bibi’s stuffed animals and named all the birds they saw from the window. Every day was a little adventure. Some days they explored the nearby woods, finding little frogs and pretty rocks. Other days, they stayed inside, knitting or watching classic cartoons.
Grandma made Bibi feel like the most important person in the world. She always listened, always had time, and always knew how to make everything better with a hug or a song.
The Goodbye
Now, as the taxi pulled into the gravel driveway, Bibi’s heart felt heavy. Her parents were waiting for her at home, and she missed them—but saying goodbye to Grandma was harder than she thought it would be.
Grandma knelt down in front of her. “You’ve grown so much this summer, my darling. I’m so proud of you.”
Bibi’s eyes welled up with tears. “I don’t want to go.”
“I know, sweetheart. I don’t want you to go either. But your mommy and daddy are so excited to see you. And guess what? We’ll see each other again soon.”
“But it won’t be the same,” Bibi whispered.
Grandma pulled her into a warm, long hug. “Nothing ever stays the same, but love does. My love will go with you. Always.”
They stood there for a while, swaying gently, as if trying to freeze time. The taxi driver gave them a few extra moments, understanding the depth of the moment.
A Special Gift
Before Bibi climbed into the car, Grandma handed her a small, wrapped box. “Open it when you miss me,” she said.
Bibi nodded, clutching it tightly.
The ride home felt longer than usual. Bibi looked out the window, clutching her gift, watching the fields roll by. She didn’t say much.
The Gift Inside
When she got home and unpacked her bag, Bibi finally sat on her bed and opened the box. Inside was a tiny hand-sewn doll, dressed in a patchwork dress that matched one of Grandma’s aprons. There was also a little note:
“This is Little Me. She’ll keep you company and remind you how much you are loved. She’s full of hugs, songs, and stories. Just like me.”
Bibi hugged the doll tightly and cried a little. But then she smiled. It smelled like lavender—Grandma’s favorite scent.
Remembering Grandma
Over the next few days, Bibi talked to the doll often. She told it about her day, sang it songs, and pretended it was sitting next to her during meals. Every time she hugged it, she felt like Grandma was nearby.
She also began to write letters to Grandma with her mom’s help, telling her all about school, her new shoes, and the silly things her cat did. Grandma always wrote back, with stories of her garden and updates from the cottage.
A New Routine
Bibi and Grandma started having weekly video calls. Every Sunday, they would sit down with tea and cookies and chat for hours. Sometimes they even baked the same recipe together from miles apart, laughing at the flour on their noses.
Bibi learned to smile when she saw Grandma on the screen, and while it wasn’t the same as being there, it still made her heart feel warm.
The Power of Love
Goodbyes are never easy, especially when they come after a time so full of love and joy. But Bibi learned that love doesn’t go away just because someone isn’t close by. It lives in the little things: the doll on her shelf, the letters in her drawer, and the stories in her heart.
And while she still missed Grandma, she knew that they were only a phone call away. Plus, she had a whole list of things she wanted to do with Grandma next summer—starting with planting a sunflower garden.
Until then, Bibi kept dancing in the rain, baking cookies, and whispering bedtime stories to her doll.
Because Grandma was never really gone.
Not when love was always there.
