Excellent Revelation from the past. (308 words) The English Connection by LisaMay      ~ A Surprise ~ Contest Winner

My brother, Jeff, and I stood in front of grandfather’s painting. Our only connection to him was through this painting on display in our national war museum. He’d enlisted in the army for the First World War, left our country to go to Europe as a soldier, and stayed afterwards to be an artist, even though he had a wife and son back home. “I feel sorry for Dad and his mother. I think it was worse than a military desertion, leaving his family, not getting in touch with them again,”  I said. “Apart from reading that he died in 1953, I guess we’ll never know what life was like for him in England.” Jeff leaned forward to inspect grandfather’s signature on the painting more closely. The museum’s administration officer was passing. She advised him: “It’s best not to get too close or you’ll set off the alarm.” In a more friendly manner, she asked: “Do you have a special interest in this painting?” Jeff and I replied simultaneously: “Yes. It was painted by our grandfather.” The woman continued: “That’s interesting. I saw a young man examining it the other day. I had a conversation with him and he said it was his grandfather who painted it. Maybe you have another brother or a cousin who is interested in art? He looked to be a couple of years younger than you. He gave me his address in England, wanting the museum to send some information.” Jeff and I glanced at each other, amazed to think that a way to find out more about our grandfather had just presented itself. We quickly asked if we could have the address so we could get in touch. And that is how we came to discover our grandfather had a bigamous marriage and another family in England after the First World War. Writing Prompt Write a family story that includes you and a sibling (or siblings) along with your Grandparents. Although listed as fiction, the grandparents and sibling(s) will be Real. Word Count--300-350 / Black font only Keep it G rated--suitable for children ~ A Surprise ~ Contest Winner Recognized Author Notes Author's note: Photograph shows the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, where my grandfather's painting is on show.

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