Due to many requests, here are the winning essays from the Run Away Giveaway Contest. I found all the essays to be very touching and inspiring. The children’s contest were essays of the Why My Grandma Would Never Run Away.  The contest was open to children under the age of 12. There were four first place winners, each received a copy of Runaway Grandma and a $50.00 savings bond. There were also seven honorable mentions who each received a copy of Runaway Grandma to give to their grandmothers.

The adult contest was to write an essay about memories of a grandmother or significant older lady in the essayist’s life. The four winning essayists received an autographed copy of Runaway Grandma.

     *Judging was very difficult since there were soo many wonderful essays!

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#1     Of course my grandma would never run away. She loves making her delicious sunny side up eggs. She lives on a farm so she can’t leave her animals. Here are some other reasons why my grandma would never run away…

The number one reason why she would never run away is because she LOVES my grandpa. I mean, I wouldn’t blame her, I do too. I mean everyone should love their grandma and grandpa too. The second reason why my grandma would never runaway is because she loves her job. She loves her farm. She loves all the animals on her farm, plus all her dogs. Last but not least she loves her whole family and we all love her, too.

In conclusion now you know why my grandma would never run away. She can’t even stop planting trees because she loves it so much. Most of all, she loves everyone and she’s a nice and caring person.   by Nicole,  grade 5

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#2      My Grandmother would not…runaway…Well, I couldn’t say that. It’s a real funny story. My dad pastor’s a church called Mt. Zion _____ ______, right. So my mom’s mom is sort of…well, let’s just say crazy. One day, she said, “What better place to run away to than Africa?” So she buys her plane tickets and leaves. But at the same time she left, violence ratings were at an all time high in Africa. So she buys another ticket and comes back home. When she returned, she stays with us in MY room. We both weren’t happy. She is a huge Cleveland Browns fan, but I’m a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan. It just so happens my room is designed in Steelers colors, merchandise and anyother Steelers item you can think of. It was funny ’cause …well…she hates the Steelers. Grammy stays in our house for a month, and then the violence in Africa calms down. So, she buys yet another ticket, right, and goes back to Africa. We were all sad because we have no idea where she is. Now, my dad gets everyone in the church all …well… TERRIFIED! But that’s from my point of view. As you would think, I, as well as everyone else, am scared. I think about Grammy and what she is doing and wonder where she is. I picture her in a desert in Kenya…wondering what could be happening right now. Let’s just say comparing Africa to home is night and day. It felt like forever before she’d return and I’d know she was safe.

Months later, it was Sunday, church day. The big announcement spread all over the church. My dad stood at the altar and said into the microphone, “We are happy to say that our MISSIONARY Cheriane ___ is home from Kenya!” My mouth fell open I knew she wouldn’t run away forever. My mouth stayed open until she was safely home.     by Noah,  grade 5

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#3    Last summer I went to visit my grandma. We went to the beach. We had a cook out and we had a lot of fun. And we met a lot of people.

As the sun went down we decided to go home. When we got home my grandma’s sister was there. They had not talked in thirty years. The reason they had not talked to each other was because they had a big fight over money.

 When I woke up the next morning, I went to check on my grandma. She had left a note that said she was running away because her sister threatened to tell her terrible secret if she did not pay her the money.

We decided to go on a bike ride to look for my grandma. We found her by the pond crying. We asked her why. She said she had a secret that would hurt her family. After talking to her, she decided to come home and tell the secret.

After telling the secret herself and having a long talk with the family, they decided not to have anymore secrets because it breaks families apart.        by Justin,  grade 5

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 #4    I am writing this to explain why my grandma wouldn’t run away. I will use five details to explain my response. I will also use a conclusion to finish the response.

My first reason is that my grandpa can’t take care of himself. He can cook, but he couldn’t get up if he falls. My family would miss her and her homemade aplesauce. My mouth waters when I think about it. She would miss her sewing business. Besides she loves to sew. I believe that she would miss her walks in the park. On the weekends I spend the night, we walk together and watch the river’s water go by.

Finally I believe she would miss the tasty freeze down the street. When I go to spend the night we go to get ice cream.

In conclusion, I believe these are the reason that my grandma wouldn’t run away. I worked my hardest to to complete this response carefully. I know I may not win but writing this was very fun.           by Jessica,  grade 5  ********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************       

                                               ADULT ESSAY WINNERS

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   #1                   NEVER A DULL MOMENT WITH GRANDMA       

  Now, a grandmother myself, I appreciate even more the friend I had in my Grandma. When she came for one of her visits, life seemed like an adventure to me.

There were five children and two parents in the home where I grew up, and there were four bedrooms. The children consisted of two boys and three girls. You can do the math to figure out that one bedroom contained two girls, another bedroom two boys, third bedroom the parents and one lucky person who had her own room. I was that lucky person, and the reason for that was because I was messy and neither sister wanted to room with me. But when Grandma came she didn’t mind bunking with me at all. And I certainly didn’t mind sharing my room with her. In fact I loved it. Usually she would stay for a week and then Dad would drive her back home to Bradford where she lived alone.

When the lights were out and all were supposed to be dozing off, Grandma and I talked and laughed and sang. Quietly, of course, so no one would know. We sang duets. Old songs like “In the Good Old Summer time” and “In the Gloaming.” However sometimes we must have sung too loud beacuse my dad’s voice would come booming up the stairs, “You girls settle down up there.” My Grandma would chuckle to think that he thought it was the other two girls. I would join in her amusement.

We didn’t go to libraries, but Grandma did. So when she came to visit she brought library books. No TV then , so in the evnenings we took turns reading chapters form books like “Little Women.” I didn’t know there were books like that and I loved the reading evenings. On reading evenings we shared popcorn. All except the reader, of course. No butter on library books.  

We cut and sewed carpet rags and rolled them into balls so mom could make rugs later. We hulled wild strawberries in the early summer and shelled beans if it was fall. Grandma never seemed to lack for things to do.

But one visit Grandma stepped over her limits as far as Dad was concerned and she went home early. We, as usual, were conspirators, and I thought it to be a lot of fun, but when my father found out and I looked at his face, I knew we were in trouble.

It happened when someone whom my Dad worked with gave him a calendar with nude or nearly nude women on every month’s page. He never hung it up in the house, but if guys came he would show it to them. Grandma and I knew he had it and where he kept it tucked away.

So one day when he was at work we made clothes for all the nude models and glued them on. Whne he started to show his calendar to someone and noticed that they all had dresses or pajamas or slacks; he wasn’t amused. Right away he seemed to know who the culprits were and glared at both of us and threw the calendar aside. Grandma decided the next morning that she should go home and Dad was glad to take her. We never confessed and throughout all of her life, whenever we got together, we had another chuckle about our good deed of making clothes for all those cold naked women.   by Mary,  New York

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          #2                       TRIBUTE TO AUNT RUTH

  Our Aunt Ruth was a simple woman. Now that is not an eloquent or wordy statement but it is the simple truth. When she was born in 1912 the doctor, as the story goes, arrived for delivery intoxicated. Using his impaired judgement, he is alleged to have used forceps on Aunt Ruth’s head, thereby doing some damage ot the cognitive areas of the brain. Now that is a word-of-mouth story that has filtered down to those of us who knew and loved her best, her neices and nephews. I’m one of the niece’s that basked in her happy smile every time I entered a room.

No matter what stage of life I was going through, the smile on her face remained steadfast and re-enforcing whenever I visited her. One of our Aunt’s trademarks was no matter what the occasion; if she received a present she immediately put the bow on top of her head and then prosceeded to open her present. So invariably everyone followed suit. There we would sit with bows on our heads, quietly acknowledging our love and support.

Aunt Ruth passed away last week. As the Pastor finished the serivce, he asked that we all once again put the bows that had been provided on the top of our heads.With smiles and tears one and all placed the bright colored bows on their heads for the last time. Our simple act of love.           by Carol,  New York

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  #3             MY GRANDMOTHER’S AFFECT ON ME 

  My only living grandmother in my lifetime, was my paternal grandmother, who we all loved and called “Mam-ma”. She lovingly got this name, thanks to my oldest brother who set the pace when he couldn’t say”Grandma”– instead it sounded like “Mam-ma”!

Mam-ma lived next door to us, and my only paternal Aunt lived onthe other side of her, next door. So, as a child and growning up, I was blessed to have three places  I called “home”; and spent much time each day at all three houses.

Mam-ma was a dear, sweet soul, who gave a lotof herself each day to all of us, including  my step-Grandfather, known as “Pappy”.

we played together and worked together at home as well as her teaching us Sunday Svchool and playin the piano in Church. Born on August 20, 1880, she seemed to always be a matronly  looking ladym having show white hair at an early age. For everyday, she wore floral printed hosuedresses with a full apron over it to protect the dress; and short square heeled  black shoesthat tied up to her ankles; except on Sundays, when she wore her very best dress, her white tie-up shoes in the summer time and abig beautifulhat. I can still see her standing out in the yard all dressed for church and stopping to smell her sweet bush of blue hydrangeas.

Mam-ma was with us until she died on April 15, 1959 at the age of 79. I  was a senior in High School at the time, and I clearly  remember her last days as I sat outside my house on the front steps by myself, thinking about her sadly. Part of me was excited about my upcoming  spring concert at school and graduation; while the rest of me was wishing she could be part of it all. Her last words to me were “be a good girl”!

Until then , we had a lot of good times with Mam-ma, who loved us unconditionally and made a strong impact on each of us. She was my first pirano teacher and taught me all the basics of playing the piano and learning waltzes and marches. I would run  up to her  house many days after school and homeworkd  to ppractice  anbd have another lesson. Inthe eevnings , after supper at our house, my sister and would go up to visit Mam-ma and Papppy; and we would find them sitting in the dark in their reception  hall, listening to their old-timey antique stan-up radio. We would be greeted with a hug from Mam-ma and a tickle from Pappy, which I can still feel as he poked his fingers into my ribs. They would be eagerly waiting for us and would get up and take us into their dining room to play a game of “Authors”; possibly where I first heard about people like Louisa Mae Alcott, Robert Louis Stevenson and William Shakespeare. Muy first experience with writers.

When it was time to go home, our Mother woiuold call us on their “house to house” crank-up  telephone that Dad had installed  just for the tow houses to calleach other! Mom would have the porch light on and be standing  on the porch waitng for us, while Mam-ma turned her light on and stood on her porch watchin us until we got home safely; even though our houses were only a few yards apart. I remember skipping home on the yellow line in  the middle of the road on my 10th birthday, being all excited about being two digits. Only in a little country village like Kantner, in Pennsylvania in 1952 would one be able to safely do this.

Probably the biggest impact she had on my life, was in 1954, when I was 12 years old, and we were attending a revival service in our sister church in Hooversville. At the end of the service, when the Pastor gave the invitation, I felt compelled to go forward but wasn’t moving. Mam-ma must have known this, because all she had to do was touch my hand and ask me if Iwanted to go forward. That very moment, I was raised out of my seat and soon kneeling at the altar asking  Jesus Christ  to be Lord and Savior. For this, and much more, Mam-ma will forever live in my heart.                by Judith,   Maryland

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    #4                 ROSIES’S WEEKEND ADVENTURE

On one particular Friday morning, Rose hurried to buy a newspaper. She carried a bag which contained her purse and a nightgown. Rose always wanted to be prepared for any adventure that might come along.

As she hurried down the street, a commotion at the railroad station caught her attention. Looking in that direction, she noted a crowd gathered near the train. The train, it’s engine sending out puffs of steam and making hissing noises, gave the impression it was anxious to be on its way.

After buying the paper, Rose was curious enough to go to the station. As she was about to inquire about the gathering, one of the ladies asked, “Are you one of the chaperones going to Akron?”

Realizng that she hadn’t left anything on the stove and in her haste to get to hte store still had her apron on. She whipped it off, stuffed it in the bag and said, “Why yes, I guess I am. What should I do?”

Rose rode the train to Akron helping to supervise some children entered in the Soap Box Derby. In Akron, she kept busy with the activity concerning the derby. That night she stayed in the hotel with the group. The following day she attended the actual race. That evening she went to the banquet and had a wonderful time.

On Sunday she came home with the group arriving at noon. Saying goodbye to her new-found friends, she crossed the street to her house and went inside. Putting on the pot for a cup of tea, she took out her newspaper and sat down to read the two day old news.

Rose was my mother-in-law and I was always amazed at her ability to find adventure. Her zest for life was contagious and I never tired of hearing the stories only she could tell.   by Lois, New York

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My thanks to all of you who took the time to write from your hearts and share your precious memories. These essays showed me once again that we are never too old to influence those we take time to interact with and love. Till next time…. Ann

Since my last entry some very good things have happened…my doctor called to report my biopsy was cancer free. Woo Hoo!! And then I began to feel a bit guilty and wondered why I’d been spared when soo many have not been. One thing related to this that’s been a real challenge is the fact my doctor insists NO MORE  HRTs. None. “Tough out the hot flashes.” So much easier said than done…thank God for jackets and sweater that come off and on as needed. Anyone who has ever suffered the indignity of hot flashes knows exactly what I’m talking about!

Last week I discovered Runaway Grandma has been listed by Bookmovement.com as one of the top 100 Book Club choices in  the country. I was absolutely thrilled with this news! I’ve continued to visit Book Clubs and Libraries and did one more radio interview. It is such a fulfilling experience when readers get caught up in my novels.

And Jodi Picoult, one of my favorite writers, emailed me a nice note in response to a short note I’d sent her. I never send celebrities letters but felt compelled to write a message to her. I put her note inside one of her books for safe keeping!

Then this past week end, fifteen of our immediate family  members went to Morgantown, W. VA to celebrate our granddaughter’s college graduation. She set an excellent example for all her younger cousins and we were all so proud of her; it was happy time.

 If you’d like to respond or ask a question, write a message on my web site email. And please check my blog in a week or so for the next post.

I can’t believe it’s been a month since I blogged! My only defense is it’s been really busy time for me. I’ve done three more radio interviews which have become easier and more fun as I’ve learned to relax and enjoy the interview process. I’ve spoken about Runaway Grandma to two Women’s Groups in Mckean Co. and the New Bethlehem Library Book Club in Clarion County, PA. 

I’ve also enjoyed visiting three elementary schools to talk to   students about the writing process as well as collect their essays for the contest on Why My Grandma Would Never Run Away. During my visits I shared some children’s stories I’ve written. And of course I encourage them to read, read, read! One child said, “But I’m not a good reader.” I told him, “Keep reading, the more you read, the better reader you will be!”

Now, I have to tell you the essays were incredibly difficult to judge, way too many of them read like winners to me. So I ended up adding an Honorable Mention category where seven additonal essays won a copy of Runaway Grandma for their grandmothers. Total of eleven youth winners. The Four First Place Winners of a $50.00 savings bonds plus a copy of the novel are: Jessica and Nicole of Bradford. Justin of Smethport and Noah of Olean. The seven H.M.s are: Lexi and Sarah of Bradford. Julia, Brody and Hayley of Smethport and Tia and Delanie of Bolivar, NY. Certificates were given to all the young writers who particiapted. The response was super and the essays very touching!

Now, for the winners of the adult essay contest about a grandmother or other older woman in their memory or life today. Again the response was terrific and the judging difficult. The winners are: Carol and Lois of Olean, NY. Judith of Chesapeake Beach, MD. and Mary of Bolivar, NY.

A sincere thank you to all of you who took time to write your hearts out about your grandmothers, aunts or other loved ones. There were so many beautful tirbutes!  

I’d like to wish all the Mothers who read this much more than a Happy Mothers Day…more like enjoy everyday because you’ve earned the right to be honored and happy more than just one day a year!

Till next time…Ann