Feel-Good Stories to Read Online: Like A Girl (Short Story About Family)
In this short story about family, Larry dreams of teaching a grandson to play catch, but life throws him a curveball – his new grandchild is a girl. Can Larry catch the unexpected lesson this curveball brings?
Like A Girl (Short Story About Family)
Larry stood at the edge of the garden, his gaze fixed on the horizon where the sun dipped, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. The air was filled with the laughter and chatter of his family inside, yet he felt a pang of longing—for a dream that never materialized.
He had always imagined himself teaching a son how to cast a fishing line, how to swing a bat, and the intricacies of an engine. Instead, life gifted him with five daughters, each wonderful in her own right, but different from the dream he held onto.
The sound of the sliding door interrupted his reverie. Sharon, his wife of 35 years, joined him, her hand finding its way into his. “You okay, honey?” she asked, her voice laced with concern.
Larry squeezed her hand, mustering a smile. “Yeah, just thinking about the grandkid on the way,” he confessed, his voice tinged with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.
The day of the gender reveal party arrived like a fanfare of pink. When the balloon popped, showering pink confetti, Larry’s heart sank slightly. Another girl. He clapped and cheered alongside his family, his smile genuine but his heart still yearning.
Over the next few months, Larry found himself swept up in the whirlwind of preparations for his granddaughter’s arrival. He meticulously selected the pinkest, frilliest, most adorable gifts he could find. Gradually, the disappointment ebbed away, replaced by a burgeoning excitement to meet the new member of their family.
Years passed, and Harper grew into a spirited child whose presence was like a breath of fresh air in Larry’s life. She had an unquenchable thirst for adventure, a disdain for anything overly feminine, and a love for all the activities Larry held dear. She was his shadow, following him everywhere, her hands as eager to hold a fishing rod as they were to wield a screwdriver.
One sunny afternoon, as they returned from a camping trip, Harper, covered in mud and beaming with pride, turned to Larry and exclaimed, “I can do anything, like a girl, Grandpa!
“Like a girl? What do you mean?”
I learned at school that being a girl means I’m strong, brave, and smart.”
“Like a girl?” Larry was still confused. “But you like fixing cars, and playing sports and going fishing with me – those are all the things your mom and aunts hate doing.”
Harper laughed. “Grandpa, it doesn’t matter what I do. I’m strong and smart brave at EVERYTHING I do. I do it like a girl!”
Harper smiled and ran to her favorite tree, climbing it with a skill and enthusiasm that would make any squirrel jealous.
Her words were a revelation to Larry, reshaping his understanding of strength and companionship.
“‘Like a girl.’ Well, I’ll be. I guess I learn something new everyday.” Larry tilted his head, impressed by his granddaughter’s determined attitude.
Inside the house was always bustling, with the other women of the family swooning over the latest fashion or romantic film. Larry and Harper would exchange knowing glances, their bond unspoken but deeply felt. They didn’t need words; their shared experiences spoke volumes.
Harper winked at her grandpa, as if to say. “See, they are watching movies … like a girl. They love painting their nails with sparkly nail polish as much as I love getting my hands dirty with car grease. It’s okay to like whatever makes you happy.”
One day, while fixing up an old car in the garage, Harper, now a confident teenager, handed Larry a wrench. The quiet of the garage was a stark contrast to the usual chaos of their home. Larry wiped his hands on a rag, pausing to look at Harper, seeing not just his granddaughter but his friend.
“You know, Harper,” Larry said, admiration evident in his voice, “you’re getting better than your old grandpa at changing the oil. I suppose you’re right. Maybe it’s not about what you do, but that it makes you happy while you’re doing it.”
Harper smiled, her eyes shining with a mixture of pride and affection. “I love this, Grandpa. I love our adventures, fixing cars, and even when you teach me about fishing. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
“That’s cause you do it like a girl!” Larry said, smiling.
“That’s right!” Harper gave her grandpa a high five.
As they turned their focus back to the project, the sounds of laughter and conversation from the house spilled into the garage, reminding them of the family gathering inside. Yet, in that moment, the garage felt like their entire world—a special place where connections were made, not defined by gender, but by shared interests and mutual understanding.
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Larry realized he had been unnecessarily worried about not having a son or grandson. None of that mattered anymore. What truly mattered was having a family that loved him.
He looked at his granddaughter, Harper, with a sense of pride that brought a wide smile to his face. He discovered that his dream of bonding over “manly” activities was being fulfilled, just not in the way he had imagined, but in a way that was much more meaningful.
Harper was showing him a new way to view the world, one where he could relax and enjoy his passions without worrying about others’ opinions.
She had a knack for fixing cars, playing sports, and could even outplay him in baseball. Harper was not only excelling beyond many boys in her neighborhood, but she was also redefining what it meant to be skilled in these areas.
Harper wasn’t the grandson he had always hoped for—she was something even better.
Through her, Larry learned the importance of letting go and embracing fun, embodying the spirit of joy and freedom that knows no gender boundaries.
His granddaughter had taught him about letting go and having fun … just like a girl.
Written by Kitty Norton. © 2024 Jack and Kitty Norton. Reprinted by permission of Jack and Kitty Media Group. In order to protect the rights of the copyright holder, no portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent. All rights reserved.
