Song: Grandpa's Recipe

By: Charlie Allen

Start song at (1)


"I know you were raised better than that!" Aunt Greta scolded as she put her fiddle away.

"What can I say?" Jack shrugged again.

"Say that you will be a better role model! Goodness, What would your parents and grandparents say about you disobeying the rules like that?"

Jack got a distant look in his eyes as memories of his life back in settlers' time came to the forefront of his mind. The voices of his family and the villagers settling in like they did two years ago. But Greta's words had sparked one remembered voice to the forefront.

He started talking without even really registering that he was doing so or how he had startled everyone in the room. "Grandpa's recipe, (1) he always said that getting there is the best part of the ride. Keep your eyes on Jesus, don't let the devil ever rule your life. Keep a good grip on the good book, it has wisdom and good advice. Save a little for a rainy day. Don't start a fight that you can't finish. Don't play the game if you don't play to win it. Always do your best to do what's right. Don't lie, don't cheat, don't ever steal. Do an honest day's work for your next meal. That was Grandpa's recipe for life."

Jamie started to reach for Jack, to try and get his uncle's attention, but was stopped by his mom. She put a finger to her lips and mouthed 'Let him be'. So the boy sat back where he had been and watched as his friend continued repeating the words of a wise grandfather.

"Have respect for your fellow man, nobody owes you nothing if you think they do you better think again. Life is only ours to borrow cause tomorrow may never come" Tears started filling Jack's eyes as he continued to hear and speak his Grandpa's words. "Go out and have a little fun!"

As the memorie quieted Jack sniffed and wiped the tears away. "The recipe, I can't believe that I forgot it!"

The wind rattled the windows, not fiercely but enough to be noticed. Jack looked out the window and felt the loneliness of his first years as Jack Frost. All those years of voices and advice. What had happened to the words from his grandfather? Why had they just now decided to come back?