Family Memories
A story by Musical Mare 1
Disclaimer: I do not own the show or the characters. Story is mine.
It was late at night in Ponyville. Granny Smith was headed to bed. I don’t feel so well tonight. I think it is time to add something to this box. I shouldn’t have kept it from my grandkids for so long, but I promised their parents that I would keep it secret until they are ready. Apple Bloom got her cutie mark in inventing a couple years back, so perhaps I should show it to them tomorrow. I hope I don’t regret keeping the promise I made. She then writes something on a piece of paper, puts it in an envelope, and then puts it in the box. Then she put the box under her bed.
She gets out her will and puts it under her pillow. Then she looks up into the sky as two comets pass by. She says hello to her children that have passed away. She then kisses a photo of her son Farmer John, his wife Sweet Apple, and their three children goodnight. It was the last photo they took before her daughter-in law passed away a year later of cancer. Then her son died of a heart attack six months later. She then silently fell asleep.
***
Dawn came on Sweet Apple acres that morning. Applejack woke up ready to work, but first she had to wake up her siblings.
“Apple Bloom, wake up.” She said to her sister shaking her awake. She was about twelve with a wrench that was surrounded by an apple for a cutie mark.
“Okay big sis I’m up.” She replied to Applejack. Applejack then went to see if her brother was up. She knocked on the door.
“Hey Big Mac you up?” She asked.
“Eeyup” He replied. She then wondered where Granny Smith was. She was usually cooking breakfast before dawn. She went to feed Winona. She then went to check on Granny Smith in her room.
“Granny, are you up?” She asked as she knocked on the door. No reply came. She then became really worried. Panicking, she opened the door only to find Granny still in bed. She lay there silent and still. Applejack slowly went up to her bed careful not to startle her awake.
She gently shook her saying “Granny, it is time to get up.” No response came from Granny and she didn’t even make a sound. Applejack was really worried now. She pulled the covers off of her. Shaking her awake again and finding no response she checked if she was breathing only to find that Granny Smith had passed away.
Now, grieving and sobbing Applejack decided it was time to tell the news to the rest of the family. She went downstairs to tell Big Mac and Apple Bloom. Her heart feeling heavier than it did when her parents died. She didn’t quite know how to break the news to her siblings.
“Big Mac and Apple Bloom, I am sorry to say this, but Granny Smith has passed away. She passed in her sleep” She said to them with tears in her eyes. Big Mac and Apple Bloom started crying and they then pulled each other in a hug.
Apple Bloom spoke up in a choked up tone. “Why did she have to go Applejack? I can’t believe that it happened. There was so much more I wanted to ask about our parents, since I was so young when they passed. It ain’t fair.” She said as she was bawling.
“Eeyup” Big Mac agreed in the saddest tone ever.
“I know. Ponies’ lives end when they and their families don’t expect it. It is not fair, but it is a part of life.”
"We will miss her, but Granny wouldn’t want us to grieve forever. She would want us to stay strong for each other and then move on eventually.” She replied to Apple Bloom, hugging both her and her brother as tightly as she could.
“I better tell the mayor so a funeral could be arranged, tell my friends, and send letters to the rest of our kin.” She then says to them. She writes the letters and then heads to Ponyville. Princess Twilight was talking to the mayor, especially since she respected the mayor’s authority since moving to the castle in the Everfree Forest.
Applejack comes up to the mayor choking on tears. “Applejack, what is wrong?” Twilight asks pulling Applejack into a hug with both her hooves and wings.
"Granny Smith has passed away in her sleep. I need to arrange a funeral and get these letters sent.” She replied to Twilight.
Princess Twilight Sparkle then hugs her tighter. She then says “I am so sorry for your loss Applejack, as a Princess and as your friend I will personally preside over the funeral.” She then calls to Derpy to get these letters sent. She also write letters to her friends telling them the news and then teleports them to each of their homes. She then tells Spike to write a letter to the Princesses asking for permission to preside over the funeral arrangements.
“Thank you, Twilight. You have no idea how much this means to me and my family.” Applejack says to her.
“It is the least I can do for a friend, especially one of the first six friends I made in Ponyville. Without whom I wouldn’t have any friends nor be where I am today.” She replies to Applejack.
Their friends Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash arrive. “Sorry we tried to arrive as quickly as we could. We are so sorry for your loss Applejack” They all said pulling her in a big group hug. Applejack then lost it crying all the grief out that she could no longer hold back. She couldn’t be more thankful that she had great friends.
A week later the funeral was held. Granny Smith was buried in the field right next to her husband under an apple tree. A couple spaces over was where Applejack's parents were buried. All of the Apple kin came to the funeral. The will was read. The farm and all its property would go to both Big Mac and Applejack. A savings account was given to Apple Bloom so she can buy a house and start an inventing business in Ponyville. There were also instructions for Applejack to find something under Granny Smith’s bed.
She decided to do the eulogy. She said that she was thankful that Granny had raised them three after the death of their parents. That she was the best pony anyone could meet, and that she was glad that she was her grandmother. Everyone tried to remain not too somber, because that is what Granny Smith would have wanted. She then went and found the box. Inside was some medals her father had won, photo albums, scrap books, their favorite stuffed animals that they had when they were young, their baby blankets, and three envelopes. She had opened the first one she saw. It was from Granny Smith.
It read:
My dearest grandchildren,
I am sorry that I couldn’t give ya’ll this box earlier, but I made a promise to your father. This promise was that if he should die I would keep it secret until I thought you all were ready. I wanted to tell this to you in person, but I thought a letter would be a better way to do it. I want you to know that your parents were good ponies. They were honest, hardworking, loyal, and kind. They never had a bad word against any and all creatures and were generous to everypony. I am so proud that all of you are just like them.
They loved you so much and were saddened that they had to leave you. I never told you this, but your father died because of a heart condition that caused a heart attack. It was not of grief like you may have thought. He didn’t want you three to know. After you mother died of cancer he worked his hardest to provide for all of you. I tried to tell him to take a break, but he was always the stubborn one. That was what killed him. Big Mac, you look so much like him, but you have your mother’s gentle and shy nature. Applejack, you are so like your father in nature. Apple Bloom, you look exactly like your mother and I hope you live out your dreams. I know that I will one day leave the farm in your good hooves. Hopefully though that won’t be anytime soon, but if it is I want to leave you with this lesson.
Don’t grieve for me too long. Know that I am in a better place. I love you all and I am truly sorry. I am proud of the ponies that you have become. I want you to live life to the fullest and be the best ponies that you can possibly be. I want you to share those photo albums. That one I made is the green one it holds all the special memories. There is also a green scrapbook with things inside. The other three photo albums and scrapbooks are for you three to fill with your own photos and memories. The rest of the contents are what your parents wanted you to have. Pass this down to your children and share those memories you made with your family and friends to them. Those are the only important things that matter and last when you grow old.
I will always love you all.
Yours always,
Granny Smith
Applejack finished the letter, silently crying. She then opened the next letter which nearly made her bawl. It was from her Pa. It read:
My dearest children,
I am sorry that you have to read this when I am gone. I love you three so much. I miss you mother every day. I want you three to stay strong, and be happy. I want you to cherish life. Big Mac, I am so proud of the stallion you will become. You have to head the family now. You need to stay strong for your sisters, because they will need you the most.
Applejack, I hope you find your cutie mark one day. You need to be a mom to your sister and help her. Become a strong mare and always remember that even though we are gone we always will be watching over you and your siblings. I am so proud to be the father of such a special filly. I will always love you.
Apple Bloom, I am sorry I couldn’t see you and your siblings grow up to be fine ponies. I will never get to walk you or your sister down the aisle. I hope you find happiness in whatever you plan to do for the rest of your life. Always be yourself.
I love you all. I will be watching you up above with your mother. Goodbye for the last time.
Your father,
Farmer John
Applejack then kissed the photo silently telling her parents that she loved them and missed them every day. She cried for the last time. The next letter was from her mother. It read:
To my darling children,
I am sorry that I couldn’t stay alive much longer. I love you all and I hope you become strong, honest, and true ponies. This disease is like no other and slowly kills you. I hope you three find the stallion or mare of your dreams. Love them and cherish them while you can and hold close your memories with them. Life is too short not to do otherwise. I will miss you three every day. I will wait until we see each other again in pony heaven.
Your Mother always,
Sweet Apple
Applejack finished the letter finding condolence in their contents. She then showed it to her siblings hugging them goodnight. She dreamed of the good memories that she had with her family cherishing them as she slept.
The End
Author's Note
I just wanted to write this quick story, but it does not effect any of my other stories. Comments are appreciated.