There Is Always A Reason
Igneous Rock sat up in bed, groaning slightly as he looked out the window. It was well past sunrise, only a few hours until noon. He shook his head, annoyed that he had slept so long. Though intellectually he knew that there was no reason to be annoyed he still was. He was too old to work the rock farm anymore, which now fell to Limestone. And now he was as sick as he was old. Putting his hooves on the floor, groaning again as he hoisted himself out of bed. Despite his infirmities, he refused to lay in bed all day, it was not in him to do so. He took a few faltering steps to the window before he got his rhythm back, at least, as much as he ever did these days.
Looking up at the sun he sighed, shaking his head. He had been mistaken earlier, it was at least 11. He licked his muzzle, wondering how he always woke up tired, despite sleeping for some twelve plus hours a day. He rested against the window sill, thinking back to something he'd heard from one of the other community elders. 'Rest doest thee no benefit when it beeth thy soul that is weary.' Sometimes Igneous Rock wondered why he put in the effort to get up, to continue when even moving was so hard on him. He could simply stop putting out the effort, was it truly only his pride keeping him trudging through the mire of his sickness to stay in this world?
Igneous Rock looked down at the farm, spying Limestone and her husband, Granite, hard at work out on the farm. He smiled as he saw their youngest scrambling over the rocks to follow the pair. Though the young filly couldn't actually help on the rock farm she loved to follow her parents around while they worked. He coughed gently into his hoof, but didn't pay that any mind. Watching his daughter and her mate toil away, with their filly picking up scrap rocks around her parents. He knew that they'd take good care of the rock farm after his death, they already did really. He turned to the door, walking a little more confidently than earlier, he felt like he could take some lunch today. He chuckled that he had gotten used to his first meal being lunch, instead of breakfast.
At the top of the stairs, his smile brightened more when he heard the strong voice of Autumn Blaze, Marble's wife, conversing with his own wife. He could also hear the laughter of foals. On top of Autumn Blaze's pleasant company, he had Marble's and their adopted foals to look forward to with his lunch. He had a house full of grandfoals, and they would not be happy to see a sick grandfather. He straightened up, his old bones feeling a little lighter as he started his way down the stairs. Though not before schooling his face into a more proper look with only an approving slant to his mouth.
Though they knew they couldn't jump on Ignerous Rock as they once did most of his grandfoals rushed around him to clamor for his attention before the giggling mass was shooed away by a quiet Marble Pie. Cloudy Quartz smiled at her mate and brought over a bowl of porage for him, setting it on the table. He inclined his head in thanks to her as he walked over and sat down with a small umph. Looking up from her fashion magazine his oldest grandfoal, Marble and Autumn's oldest adopted daughter, raised an eyebrow at him and he chuckled, waving a hoof dismissively. Before going back to her magazine she favored him with one of her bright smiles. The normally reserved Igneous Rock couldn't help but smile back, the kirin had unreservedly accepted him as her grandfather, as if he was her own blood.
Straightening up he ate his porage happily as he watched the flurry of activity around him. Chuckling gently as he heard Marble Pie admonishing the younger foals that they couldn't have his attention until he had finished with his lunch. Not wanting to undermine his daughter's authority he began to eat a bit faster than he normally would. Glancing over as he heard the soft, musical, laughter of his wife as she noticed what he was doing. She smiled at him and put a hoof to her mouth, happy to keep his secret as she turned back to finish the dishes that had been interrupted by his appearance. Finishing his porage he straightened up, ready to play with the foals as best he could before his plans were interrupted by a knock.
He waved his wife, Marble, and Autumn Blaze all back to what they were doing with a hoof. He was not feeling like his old self still, he was old and sick, but he was plenty strong enough to answer the door! Now that he thought about it he barely felt the sickness truly. He knew it was still there, it still latched onto him and made it harder to move, but he didn't mind it so much at the moment. He straightened up to his full height, making sure his hat was properly straight as he prepared to answer the door, even when ill one had to present themselves properly to the world.
Igneous Rock's hat adjustments were rendered pointless moments later, for when he opened the door two bright pink forelegs were thrown around him and he staggered slightly under the weight of his daughter hugging him for dear life. Coughing gently from the impact of her against his chest, he couldn't hide his smile at seeing his daughter. She was by far the one he saw the least because she lived all the way in ponyville. He was about to speak when Pinkie Pie hopped back out of the way, to reveal her mate and the rest of his grandfoals had come with her to see them this day. This time he didn't even try to keep a straight face as he smiled to match his flamboyant daughter. This was why he got up every morning and put in the effort to overcome his illness for even just another day.