When Ruby’s daughter, Cindy, started talking about her grandmother’s “friend” named William, Ruby thought she knew who it was. But when Cindy mentioned that this friend shared the same name as Ruby’s father, who had passed away, everything changed.
Ruby’s family had always been close. As an only child, she shared a strong bond with her parents. They never missed a single field hockey game or parent-teacher meeting, cheering her on through every moment. Even when Ruby went to college, they visited every few weeks, bringing her delicious homemade meals.
But after her father died, everything felt different.
Now, Ruby had her own family—a loving husband, Dean, and their six-year-old daughter, Cindy. Ever since the day they buried Ruby’s father, her mother had been a shadow of her former self. Once vibrant and full of creativity, she became quieter and more withdrawn. It seemed she clung to Cindy even more, as if she were trying to fill a void.
“Let’s go on an adventure, sweetheart!” Ruby’s mom would often say as she picked up Cindy. They usually had fun together, but lately, Ruby noticed something troubling. When Grandma dropped Cindy off, the little girl often cried and avoided her grandmother. This worried Ruby, but she didn’t want to jump to conclusions.
One afternoon, while they were baking cupcakes, Ruby decided to ask Cindy gently. “Sweetie, why do you cry when Grandma brings you home? Did something happen?” she inquired as they mixed the ingredients.
Cindy hesitated, then said, “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 as she remembered. “But Grandma always asks me to say hello to William before we eat. Who is William, Mommy?”
The name hit Ruby like a thunderbolt. William was her father’s name.
Staying calm, she replied, “Oh, honey, that’s okay. Let’s finish these cupcakes.” But inside, her mind raced.
The next day, while Cindy and Dean enjoyed a movie marathon, Ruby went to her mother’s house. They 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 pressed, feeling a mix of concern and confusion.
Her mother took Ruby’s hand, her voice trembling. “I still feel your father’s presence. At first, it helped me cope with the loneliness. I guess 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 doesn’t know how to make sense of this.”
They spent hours reminiscing about Ruby’s dad, sharing stories over coffee and donuts. Eventually, Ruby encouraged her mom to talk to Cindy and explain things from her perspective.
Her mom agreed, understanding that while her conversations with Dad brought her comfort, it wasn’t something Cindy could 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, she began seeing a therapist to help process her grief, which made a huge difference. Her mood lifted, and she even started painting again, something she and Cindy loved doing together.
Cindy quickly bounced back, enjoying her time with Grandma once more. As a family, they found peace and healing together. Though Ruby’s mom still talked to her father, she now did it privately. They were all moving forward, together, stronger than before.
