This year Monash Council held the Golden Tales short story competition in a celebration of Grandparents Day on 27 October 2024. As part of the competition older adults (ages 65+) were invited to write about a special younger person and children (ages 4 to 14) to write about a special older person who has touched their hearts.
This competition celebrates and recognises connections between generations and the wisdom our older community members bring to our lives.
When I think of you,
I envision greenery so vivid,
it feels like a painting
I see colorful cloth in patterns galore
and bare feet ruddy from the dirt
I feel the rough husks of coconut shells
scraping at my palms
I feel the wind whistling past me,
humid breeze tickling me as I swing higher and higher
I taste the sweet spices
of cardamom and cinnamon and nutmeg
I taste the sour, tart flavor
of unripened fruit, acid sharp on my tongue
I hear a laugh, hearty and hoarse
as my tongue tingles from chili and my eyes bulge dramatically
I smell the sweet smoke from the fire
curling up in my lungs like an ashy kitten and pawing at my throat
I see kind eyes crinkling like newspaper at the corners
twinkling with mirth and affection
I see the curls of gray
nestled between the dark strands of hair
I hear a language I cannot understand,
but I also hear laughter and tenderness, warmth and comfort
I feel callused, wrinkled skin,
cool against my cheeks, warm against my palms
I feel love.
I see love.
I taste love.
I hear love.
I smell love.
…I am loved.