This past week, my daughter had an assignment to do a photo story to present to her class. She asked me to type her words into a document for her photo story. I had been anxious to find out what her story would be about. Imagine my surprise when she told me the title was Grandaddy (that is my dad). I wanted to share this because it gives a kids point of view on what makes good memories. I hope you enjoy!
Grandaddy
By Taylor Moise
I had the greatest Grandaddy in the world! His name was Harold Ward, but I just called him Grandaddy. We had so much fun together. He even played video games with us (even though he didn’t know how).
Sometimes he would hide the remote (when it was on “his” channel). It would be so hard to get it back from him, but eventually I found a way. Usually, I would get right next to him and put my hands in his face and wave them around and say, “Please give me the remote, give me the remote, give me the remote!”
My Grandaddy used to come over a couple of times a week, and most of the time, he would bring us donuts! I love donuts and he knew that.
One day we found out he had cancer and was sick. He had to go into the hospital and get a bunch of treatments. I went to visit him at the hospital or nursing home about once a week. My brother and I used to draw pictures to hang in his room, hoping to inspire him to get better and to think of the ones that love him.
One time when I was at school my mom went to visit him. He said, “Cammie (that’s my mom’s name) get me a camera, get me a camera now!” She said, “Why, Dad?” He said, “I want a picture of that iceberg. It’s right there outside the window.” But there wasn’t. How could there be an iceberg outside the 9th story window of a hospital in Houston, Texas? My mom told me it was because of his medication which causes hallucinations. Do you know what that means? It means sometimes he sees things that aren’t really there.
On October 25th the nursing home called and told us that he had passed away in the middle of the night. We all cried our eyes out because we would miss him. I wouldn’t hear his voice ever again. I wouldn’t get hugs from him ever again.
I still miss him and sometimes I even cry. My mom always tells me, “Let’s share a funny story about Grandaddy because he wouldn’t want us to be sad. He would want us to have fun remembering him.” My favorite story (which will always be) is called “Raisin Bran”. I still laugh out loud when we tell that story.
The End
This story reminds me that it is important to spend time with your kids doing the things they like to do! And, although the grieving process is difficult at times, have fun with your memories and share funny stories!
Cammie Moise