Those who grew up close to their grandparents know how valuable their relationship is. After all, grandparents are always giving to their grandkids. Their love is unconditional and they are there to help in any way they can. They tell amazing stories, they have a lifetime of wisdom to share, and they make yummy food and treats. And of course, they give lots of presents. This was especially true in this story, however, one of the gifts was an old dirty tool box. Not quite what the grandson wanted. But when he opened it, he realized it was the best gift of all.
This story was originally told on AmoMama. It was inspired by an account of one of their readers. [1]
Meet Liam and Agnes
Ten-year-old Liam was very close with his grandmother. He spent his summers at Agnes’s home in Texas. There he would help with her farm and in the evenings, he would collect walnuts to turn the shells into boats for his toy soldiers while she made dinner. During the school year, Agnes would take the train to visit Liam on the weekends. And she always brought him a gift.
Unfortunately, Liam didn’t like the presents. She brought science fiction novels instead of the comics he wanted. After a while, he stopped bothering to open the presents. They turned into a little pile in his room. When he complained about the lack of comics, Agnes took his words gracefully, often teasing him in return. “I thought you liked my gifts,” she’d sigh, adding that he should never judge a book by its cover.
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The Dirty Tool Box
On one weekend, Agnes got caught in the rain after exiting the train. In her hands, she carried a tool box for Liam. However, the gift got left on the doorstep when she was trying to clean the rain off her glasses. When Liam finally received it, the toolbox was dirty and rusty.
“Why does it look so dirty, Grandma?” was Liams’ initial reaction.
Agnes apologized for its appearance. “It was pouring heavily, and I made the mistake of leaving it on the ground. Anyway, aren’t you curious to find out what’s inside it?”
Liam didn’t like the look of the toolbox, which he assumed was full of those novels he didn’t enjoy. But he didn’t want to hurt his grandmother’s feelings. So he promised to open it later.
After Agnes left for her home in Texas, Agnes placed the toolbox on his highest shelf and quickly forgot about the whole thing. Until his grandmother called the next day and asked if he liked her gift.
“I haven’t opened it yet, grandma,” Liam said, “but I’ll let you know once I check it out,” and he quickly changed the subject and hung up. But Agnes called again the next day, asking about the gift. Liam kept on avoiding the subject, making up excuses why he didn’t open it, and would try to talk about other things.
One morning, he was waiting for Grandma’s call, with another excuse ready. However, the incoming call was not from Agnes. His grandmother was in the hospital. Distraught, Liam and his mother rushed to see her, but she was unconscious. Liam’s mother stayed overnight, waiting for Agnes to wake up but she never did.
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Thank You For All of The Gifts
When Liam heard the news, he was inconsolable. Then he remembered the toolbox. He ran to his room and pulled it off the shelf. Inside, there were toy soldiers and comic books. On top of it, all was a letter with his name on it.
“Dear Liam,” the letter said. “I was diagnosed with cancer three months ago. Doctors said I was nearing the end of my life and could die at any time.” The letter went on to say that his parents were aware of the situation but Agnes didn’t know how to break the news to her grandson.
“This might be the last present you’ll be receiving from me. Don’t ask me why. It’s just that I have a sneaking suspicion I won’t be able to see you again. I wanted this toolbox to be a special gift for you, so I packed it with all of your favorite things.”
She added that this toolbox was especially important to her because it belonged to her late husband. “I hope you enjoy my gift. Please see me as soon as possible. With love, Anges.”
Liam was terribly upset when he finished the letter. He regretted not opening this present soon. Perhaps he would have been able to see her a few more times before she passed. After her burial, Liam got into the habit of sitting by Agnes’ grave and reading her the science fiction novels she gave him. And on her birthday, he’d leave flowers and a note, wishing her a happy birthday and thanking her for all of her amazing gifts.
Keep Reading: 50 Times People Realized Their Grandparents Were Cooler Than Them
Source
- “Old Lady Gives Her Grandson a Dirty Tool Box, He Opens It Only After Her Death — Story of the Day.” News.Amomama. Sonali Bharadwaj. October 15, 2021
