Enjoy this touching anonymous essay reflecting on memories of the author’s grandfather.
Ghost
My grandfather seemed like a ghost to me. I never got to know him, he was seen around the house but he wouldn’t talk much, most of the time he would watch sports on the tv. Any sport was good enough for him, he would watch soccer, football, baseball, basketball, etc. He would sit in front of the television with food in his lap watching the games for hours. Sometimes I walk around the house and expect him to be sitting in that chair watching the latest football game with lots of food surrounding him but, that’s all I ever truly learned about him.
After my mom got the call we jumped into the car and raced to the hospital. We were told my grandfather had pneumonia. When we arrived we were told I wasn’t allowed to see him because I was too young but my mother snuck me in anyway. I didn’t know at the time but I think my mom knew he wouldn’t make it and thought I should have a chance to say goodbye. Holding my mother’s hand, I walked into the room. My grandfather had tubes sticking into his arms and machines beeping all around him. His arms were bruised from the needles and the slow healing process of an elderly man with diabetes made them look worse. He had dark circles under his eyes from countless sleepless nights and the overall picture was scary to look at. I hid behind my mother while he opened his eyes weakly and smiled. He greeted us quietly with a hoarse voice that was difficult to understand. We talked quietly for a bit, asking how he was and how school was going. It was just small talk. I got to say goodbye at least. I was ready to cry but I held it in until we had left. I had always thought my grandfather was invincible. He had so many illnesses but he always managed to be okay. It was only a week or two before we got the call. When my mother got the call she started crying, jumped into the car and sped to the hospital. I was confused, I didn’t realize what was happening. My little brother didn’t understand. We both looked to my Dad and he explained that our grandfather was gone.