When Ruby’s daughter, Cindy, started talking about her grandmother’s “friend” named William, Ruby thought it was someone she knew. But when Cindy mentioned that this friend had the same name as Ruby’s father, who had passed away, everything changed.
Growing up, Ruby’s family was tightly knit. As an only child, she had a special bond with her parents. They never missed a single field hockey game or parent-teacher meeting, always cheering her on. Even in college, they visited every few weeks, bringing along delicious homemade meals.
But everything turned upside down when Ruby’s father died.
Now, Ruby had her own family: a loving husband named Dean and their six-year-old daughter, Cindy. Ever since Ruby’s dad passed away, her mother seemed different. Once full of life and creativity, her mother became quiet and reserved.
On the day they buried Ruby’s father, it felt like a light went out in her. She started clinging to Cindy more than ever, as if she needed the little girl to fill the emptiness.
Ruby’s mom often took Cindy on little adventures, and they usually had fun together. But recently, Ruby noticed something troubling. When Grandma dropped Cindy off, the little girl would often cry and avoid her grandmother. This worried Ruby, but she hesitated to jump to conclusions.
One day, while they were baking cupcakes, Ruby decided to gently ask Cindy about it. “Sweetie, why do you cry when Grandma brings you home? Did something happen?” she asked as they mixed the batter together.
Cindy paused, looking thoughtful, then replied, “It’s because of Grandma’s friend. He’s always around.”
“What friend?” Ruby asked, surprised. “Grandma doesn’t usually have anyone with her except you.”
Cindy smiled a bit, remembering. “But Grandma always asks me to say hello to William before we eat. Who is William, Mommy?”
That name hit Ruby like a thunderbolt. William was her father’s name.
Staying calm, Ruby said, “Oh, honey, that’s okay. Let’s finish these cupcakes.” Inside, her heart raced.
The next day, after leaving Cindy and Dean to enjoy a movie marathon, Ruby went over to her mom’s house. They really needed to talk.
When Ruby brought up Cindy’s mention of William, her mother’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry, Ruby,” she said softly. “I didn’t mean to scare Cindy.”
“Scare her? What’s going on, Mom?” Ruby asked, her concern deepening.
Her mother took Ruby’s hand, her voice shaky. “I still feel your father’s presence. At first, it was a way to cope with my loneliness. I talk about him sometimes, even in front of Cindy. I didn’t realize it would confuse or frighten her.”
Ruby’s heart ached for her mother. She had struggled with her father’s death too, but she hadn’t realized how deeply it had affected her mom.
“I understand that you miss him,” Ruby said gently. “But Cindy doesn’t. She’s just a child, and she doesn’t know how to make sense of this.”
They spent hours sharing stories about Ruby’s dad over coffee and donuts. Eventually, Ruby encouraged her mom to talk to Cindy and explain things from her point of view.
Mom agreed, understanding that while her conversations with Dad brought her comfort, it wasn’t something Cindy was ready to grasp yet.
In the following weeks, Ruby’s mother opened up to Cindy about her feelings, helping her granddaughter understand that Grandpa William wasn’t a ghost or an imaginary friend—just a cherished memory.
Plus, her mom began seeing a therapist to help her process her grief, which made a huge difference. Her mood lifted, and she even started painting again, a hobby that she and Cindy now enjoyed together.
Cindy quickly bounced back, once again enjoying her time with Grandma. As a family, they found peace and healing. Though Ruby’s mom still talked to her father, she now did it privately. They were all moving forward, together, stronger than ever.