Cherish the Time

I rolled my eyes as my ninety-eight-year-old Grandfather told a story I had heard a hundred times. I glanced down at my shoes which were covered in dirt. That’s where I’d rather be - outside playing. I was sitting on a puke green couch covered in plastic. It stuck to my bare legs when I moved. It reminded me of the sound a fruit roll-up makes when you peel it off. My Grandpa sat across from me in his favorite chair. It was orange and worn. The fabric was missing in spots with stains that had been there for years.  Evidence of its life well lived. #Lifewelllived

As I peered up, I caught a glimpse of my mother’s face - the LOOK. You know it! It can strike fear in all children. Her eyes were slits and her mouth skewed down. I shimmied up in my seat and tried to look interested. #Thelook

“When I was ten, we used to head down to the penny arcade. We would be lucky if we had a nickel to play the games” Grandpa spoke.  He continued with the story. The one I could recite word for word. I felt myself drifting off again, closing my eyes . . . 

 “Daniel, come help me in the kitchen” my mom roared. I jumped up, for a moment confused, lost in my thoughts. I’m in trouble. My head down, I trotted after her. In the kitchen my eyes darted to a plate of chocolate chip cookies. Grandpa always had sweets. A pang of hunger struck my stomach. This was soon replaced by a pit forming in my belly as I turned to face my her. #Cookies #Trouble

“Daniel, I know you don’t mean to be disrespectful. You need to understand that we don’t know how many more days, months, or years we have left with him. You will miss him when he is gone. Remember all the times he has taken you fishing or has come to your games. He is your biggest cheerleader. So instead of worrying about yourself, take this hour with your grandpa and cherish it!” #Cheerleader

I could feel my face flush. As red as the overripe tomato sitting on the counter.  She’s right I’m being selfish. Imagine a self-centered ten-year-old. 

I started to realize that he has led an amazing life. He joined the Navy at seventeen. I mean jeez that’s only seven years older than me.  He fought in WW2, he was wounded and received a Purple Heart. He was a barber his whole life and raised three kids. They used to go camping all the time, what fun. Living ninety-eight-years gives you a lot of stories that you just have to get out, I guess. Heck, I’m only ten and I have more than a few. #PurpleHeart #Navy #Hero

I started back to my seat, I heard laughter. Grandpas got a great laugh. The kind that shakes the whole house. His face was lined with deep creases that became more prominent the harder he chuckled. He was telling the story of the chicken that chased his dog when he was a boy. This was one of my favorites. Imagine a big old dog afraid of a chicken! #Laughter

As we went to leave, I felt a sting in my chest. The kind that squeezes your heart. I turned to look back at Grandpa, his whole face smiling. I ran back and gave him a big hug. “Danny boy” he said, “You're the best!”  My mom’s right, Grandpa is worth all my time.  #Grandpa #Family

We lost grandpa about eight months later. A few days shy of his ninety-ninth birthday. He took his last breath in that hard loved orange chair. He can rest easy knowing we will carry on all his tales. They are tucked safely away in my mind and heart. In that place where I can access them anytime.  The day may come when I have a child or grandchild. I will definitely pass on the legend of the chicken who wasn’t so chicken. #Grandson #Chicken