The Smile

One sentence. It took just one sentence for my whole perception on life to change. "Grandpa has been diagnosed with cancer." Tell you what, I'll explain what happened that fateful day. Then you'll be longing for happiness, before you know that happiness won't live forever.

     Growing up, my favorite thing to do was go to my grandfather's. He was a kind and gentle giant, 6'8, but, at the time, he was getting over a divorce. Although, I was the only thing that took him out of his temporary depression. Until the days came. The days where walking to the mailbox was on par with running a 5K.

     Then, while we were walking one day, he just gave out. I called my father to bring him to the hospital. On the way there, he just sat there, in an endless slumber from which neither of us could wake him up from.

     He was put in a room, but I didn't get to see him. My dad originally thought it would be too traumatizing to me. But, after countless beg-filled hours, he took me to the room he was in.

     In that bed, I saw not my grandpa, but a balding, frail elderly who was just barely speaking anymore. No sounds were made during this visit, except a long, straining beep. My grandfather's eyes opened, but only barely. He said, in a dying, weak voice, "Davey. I'm glad you're here." He stuttered the last words, as tears started to fall down my cheeks. "Do not worry, as I'll soon be in a better place,"

     He reached to the desk nearby and in his hands was a little colored box. "Here, I made you a present." I grabbed the gift and opened it. It was a picture frame that contained some of the best moments that we had spent together. "That way, you can remember me when I'm not here", he explained to me.

     He reached his grey hand out for mine, full of youth. As I grasped his hand, two coughs were heard, and he finally and peacefully died. But, as he closed eyes for the final time, I swear...I...I saw....him...s..smile..at....me...